Portage County commissioners recognized longtime county employee Larry Dudek and heard presentations from Portage County 4‑H members at their Oct. 30 meeting.

The board read a proclamation honoring Larry Dudek of the Portage County Solid Waste Management District, noting he began work with the district in 1999, provided recycling guidance to residents and is retiring after 29 years of service. The proclamation declared Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, as Larry Dudek Day in Portage County.

Representatives from Portage County 4‑H introduced several members who described their projects and awards. Jenna Canale, 16 and a student at Southeast High School, said she has shown pigs, goats and turkeys, served as a camp counselor, sat on the junior fair board and won the Portage County Gold Medal award and a champion of champions award in sewing. "I won the Portage County Gold Medal award," Jenna said, describing statewide competition and a trip to Citizenship Washington Focus.

Other youth described statewide and national competition experience: Juliet Shanahan spoke about muzzleloading and pistol teams that competed in Nebraska; Alexis Hoffman discussed veterinary and poultry projects and a Camp Canopy scholarship; Ivy Claizon described equine science and results in state cooking and fashion review competitions; and Bailey (last name not specified) described equine activities, community service efforts and local leadership roles. County staff also recognized a longstanding volunteer (Vicky) who writes and sells children’s books featuring shelter animals and donates a portion of proceeds to the shelter.

Commissioners thanked the youth and volunteers and posed for group photos. No formal board action was required for the recognitions and presentations.