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In March, Michael Hartigan was speaking at what seemed a serious meeting about how to preserve the Blarney Party, which raises money for Children’s Miracle Network. He had just launched the discussion when Steve Earp interrupted to say, “This meeting is going nowhere.”
After Earp asked Hartigan some pointed questions, the crowd began to chuckle. Then Earp, the 2007 Riverfest commodore, slid a button across the meeting room table: 2008 Commodore.
“I was speechless, tickled and totally surprised,” said Hartigan of the moment when he learned he would be the 25th commodore of La Crosse’s annual Riverfest celebration.
Commodores are chosen for their community service, said Tom Hundt, 2006 commodore.
Hartigan, a retired Gundersen Lutheran pediatrician who lives in Holmen, has been involved in Children’s Miracle Network, Rotary Club, community theater (he played Scrooge in the 2007 production of "A Christmas Carol" at La Crosse Community Theatre), various community boards and much more.
“When you look at the list of commodores, they are people deeply involved in making La Crosse go,” Hartigan said. “It is an honor to be a part of this group.”
Hartigan’s honor was formally announced to the public during a reception Wednesday evening. Until then, keeping the secret was rather difficult, said Dorothy Stuhr, Hartigan’s stepmother.
“We learned a while back but faithfully never said a word — that was hard,” Stuhr said.
Earp said his time as 2007 commodore went fast.
“When you enjoy doing something and are meeting new people that is what happens,” he said. “In the blink of an eye, I am breaking in the new guy.”
Riverfest is July 2-6 at Riverside Park in downtown La Crosse. To learn more, visit
www.riverfestlacrosse.com.
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