Pete Krolow is the treasurer of the Embarrass River Lions Club, which is based in Tigerton. The club will be holding chicken and fish dinners once a month at the American Legion in Shawano.
Krolow was born and raised in Tigerton, graduating from Tigerton High School in 1990. He earned a degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in animal science with a meat emphasis and a business option. Krolow then worked at Mohican North Star Casino for six years, followed by teaching high school for two years in Tigerton. For the past 13 years, he has been a certified animal scientist and now works with Infinity Feeds as a Purina dealer. Krolow is also general manager of the Suring Milling Company.
He has three children and lives in Shawano. Krolow and his son, Hunter, are members of Sons of the American Legion. The family likes to play cards, camp and watch movies.
Q How did the chicken and fish dinners start?
A “I was one of four charter members that wanted to start a Lions Club in Tigerton that would allow women members. We didn’t want to rock the boat so we started a new club. We always are looking for fundraisers for humanitarian assistance. We needed to come up with ways of making money. The town of Morris doesn’t have a concentrated population so we thought why not come to where the people are. The American Legion has this big, beautiful place that they rent out. We can benefit the American Legion with bar business and our Lions with food that we make from scratch. Not only do we have wonderful women, our male members know their way around a fryer, too.”
Q How do you help others?
A “We reclaimed Forest Acre Cemetery at Schoolhouse Road in the town of Morris and village of Bowler. It was abandoned at one point and we cleaned brush and trees and put headstones back up. Now we keep it mowed and groomed. We do roadside cleanup. We host a children’s Christmas party and Easter egg hunt for children in the Tigerton area. Senior citizens get a fruit basket, and we build handicap ramps. If we hear of someone who has cancer and has to go for treatment or to doctors, we help them pay for their gas. We give scholarships. We work for the Caroline Lions at trail rides and water horses. We cook at the Iola Car Show, and help the Shawano Lions in their fair stand.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “That goes back to when I was a junior in high school milking cows with my dad. I was milking Herman and my dad was milking Alice. I said to my dad that I was going to join the service. He said you will be the first Krolow to get a college degree. So this is one of my ways to give back to the community. Just as the Embarrass River runs through many communities, so does our good work helping others.”
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