Press Release:
The Pine City Area Chamber of Commerce would like to extend our congratulations to Bonnie Menigo, recently named the 2023 Outstanding Citizen of the Year. Through the nomination process each year, members of the community write letters to recommend individuals that they feel are deserving of this award. At the close of the nomination period, a panel of community members are tasked with reviewing those letters to select the best candidate to receive the honor.
“Thanks to some additional creative video work from Makayla Thompson,
owner of The Flower Box, we had more letters this year than we’ve had in recent
years, making a tough job even harder,” said Becky Schueller, Executive Director for
the Pine City Chamber.
In selecting Menigo, the panel noted her long service to the community, including the Pine City School Board, the Pine City Area Chamber of Commerce and Pine Center for the Arts. With her beloved husband Jeff, Menigo was owner and proprietor of the Old Oak Inn in Pine City, and she continues to be a faithful member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Schueller noted that Menigo is the kind of volunteer who doesn’t seek out attention, but always seems to end up in key leadership roles in any organization she serves with.
“Bonnie has been making a difference for decades in Pine City,” Schueller said. “The panel wanted to recognize all her years of quiet volunteer work in so many areas in our community - schools, arts, business, church and more. Pine City is lucky to have her.”
The public is invited to attend a reception honoring Bonnie Menigo as our 2023 Citizen of the Year. The reception will be held on Saturday, October 14th from 2:30 – 4:00 PM at Three Twenty Brewing Co. RSVP’s are appreciated by calling 320.322.4040 or emailing info@pinecitychamber.com.
