Craig and Amy Wildenberg, along with several other volunteers, run the Tilleda Thunder on Ice racing on Tilleda Pond.
The Tilleda Thunder on Ice season starts the first Saturday in January and runs through the last Saturday in February, weather permitting. Racing starts at 1 p.m. The classes are ATV, studded and nonstudded; front-wheel drive, studded and nonstudded; rear-wheel drive, nonstudded and two-wheel studded.
Craig Wildenberg is a native of Kaukauna, graduating from Appleton East High School in 1989. He worked for a temp service for a short time, then worked three years at an adhesive factory. For the last 21 years, he has been employed at Brady’s Septic Service.
Amy Wildenberg graduated from Bowler High School and worked at American Medical Security. She then was the secretary at Brady’s Septic Service for eight years. Since 2005 she has worked at Humana in De Pere.
The Wildenbergs have been married nine years and live in the town of Seneca. They are custodians for Seneca Town Hall.
The couple used to do snowmobile radar running.
Q How did Tilleda Thunder on Ice get started?
A Craig: “Ice racing in Tilleda has been going on since the ’70s. It used to be Mid-State Racing, which started with four guys racing all over before it became permanent in Tilleda, where it has been through the ’80s. Then they had to tear the dam down and drained the pond to rebuild it, so there was no more racing until 1982 when I started helping. I was 12 and my family camped at Pine Grove Campground. In 2006 Tilleda Thunder on Ice started. I started racing in 2007.”
Q What do you do?
A Craig: “This is my second full season as president. I wear a lot of hats. I take care of the plowing, and other guys help me if it becomes overwhelming. Last year, we had to race in Gresham (the pond was again drained to treat Eurasian milfoil), and there was a lot of snow. Every week, we have a drivers meeting. Wherever we are short of help, I have to fill in. The racers come to me with problems, and I spend a lot of time getting sponsors. Technically, it’s an eight-week season. This is the first year it looks like we will get it all in.”
Amy: “I started scoring. This is my first year as the treasurer. Last year, I was the secretary. We’re the only track around here that runs on Saturdays. I score the races and work the front gate.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A Amy: “Just sitting there, I like seeing them all have a good time and I want that to continue. I get a strong sense of community out there. People can come and watch and listen from their cars.”
Craig: “I get laid off in the winter, and it gives me something to do. Come check us out because it’s a reason to get out of the house and do something in the winter.”
Others helping with Tilleda Thunder on Ice are Scott Wright, vice president; Sarah Scheibe, secretary; Robbie Mass, flag man; Randy Van Hoof, photographer; Todd Wildenberg, announcer; and Bert Moede Jr. and Les Slater Jr., who plow snow.
The volunteers also include Al Wildenberg, Nate Raasch, Brittany Fehrman, Kayla Faust, Lisa Loftus, Jessica Hafner, Bert Moede Sr., Kasey Kolpack, Jeff Jolitz and Jacob Gutt.
For more information, call Craig at 715-584-4818 or visit tilledathunderonice.com online.
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