Woman of the Year

 Originally Published Dec. 2012

(My sister, Joanne, and I each nominated mom for Forest Lake’s Woman of the Year Award – she won!  Here are our nominating letters.) 

“I nominate one of my best friends as Woman of the Year, my mother, Elsie Vogel.  During my parents’ 14 years of operating the roller rink in town, many, many people have considered my mother their second mom.  I’ll tell you why.  Mom listened to everyone’s problems, consoled broken hearts, rejoiced and celebrated new relationships and nursed scrape knees.  The little ones on Saturday afternoon trusted mom enough to allow her to watch their bottle of pop while they skated to the popular song of the day.  How many parents can admit to listening to their children, as well as their music, for at least nine hours a week?

Every year, our house would be in total uproar for four months while my mom would produce Skateland’s Coronation and Skating Show.  With a cast of over 100 skaters, ranging from toddlers to grandparents, she would sew costumes, choreograph routines and run the election to name just a few of the many duties she performed.  What a gift of giving she has!

While this may be a recognition of my mom, I can’t help but include my dad.  I have the unique distinction of having had practically every one of my dates chaperoned by not one, but both of my parents.  I can honestly say that I was always proud to introduce my dates to mom and dad.  To this day, ex-skaters will go out of their way to greet them and introduce their children, a spouse, or even grandchildren.  When they closed the roller rink, they were given a plaque by the skaters that read:  “To Bert and Elsie – our home away from home.”  I feel honored to have shared my parents with so many.”

                                                                                    Mary Vogel McGraw

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“A daughter should not be the person to nominate her own mother for Woman of the Year.  Perhaps though, she is the ideal person to do so because she has seen the quality of this woman through the worst, as well as the best of times.  In my estimation, Elsie Vogel has already earned the title of Woman of the Year.

At a time when only men were looked upon as the business people of the community, Elsie worked from the ground up.  First, at her father’s meat market business, and then for 25 years, our ‘Jill of all trades’ for Vogel’s Bar, Cafe, and Hotel.  In the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, Elsie operated Skateland.  From producing skating shows for the enjoyment of the entire community to lending an ear to troubled teenagers, Elsie helped raise a whole generation of Forest Lake youth.  And more recently, Elsie saw a need in this very close community to preserve the history and inform new generations of the heritage of her town.  Her newspaper column, Reflections has been her means to preserve that large history.

Volunteerism?  Yes, plenty.  From Cub Scout den mother to charter member of the VFW to officer in the American Red Cross to VFW Junior Drill Team leader to director on the Library Board and Whispering Pines Board, Elsie has always been a leader.  So, before it was vogue to combine career and family, Elsie was already doing it. Enough in itself to earn the award.  But, it should be an award given for the motive behind the woman’s accomplishment and Elsie’s motive has always been for love of family, love of people, and love of community.  She is the Woman of the Year!”

                                                                                    Joanne Vogel Warren