The Clear Lake Rotary Club has selected Laurence Fredriksen as the recipient of its “Citizen of the Year” award for 2007.
    Fredriksen will be recognized at a 7 p.m. dinner in his honor on Nov. 1, 2007, at the Best Western Holiday Lodge.  Tickets for the event are available at the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, 205 Main Avenue; phone 641-357-2159 until Tuesday, Oct. 30. The price of tickets is $15.
    Fredriksen is a valued member of many local clubs, including the Knights of Columbus having achieved the highest honor, the Fourth Degree.  He is a member of the VFW and serves as an Honor Guard.  And in his spare time, can be found making wine with the local wine club.
    On many Sundays during the summer, you can find Fredriksen working as a blacksmith at the Kinney Pioneer Museum sharing his talents with the visitors.  His passion for blacksmithing has also led him to build items for many local attractions, including: flower hangers and trash can holders for downtown Clear Lake, railings for the bridges in Central Gardens, Clear Lake signs at various locations and the barges for the July 4th fireworks.
    As a faithful member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, he has assisted in many ways.  He has made railings, chair racks, table racks, vent covers, pancake grill, stackable stainless steel soup containers, holy water holders, the cross in the entryway, and the office sign on the rectory.  All at no cost to the parish.
    “Laurence is simply a man with character, including all of the attributes: truth, fairness, goodwill, and friendship, which made him a perfect candidate for this year’s Citizen of the Year,” say Rotary members.