Bristol outstanding citizens Betty Muhlenbeck, Mike Keller

This year’s Bristol outstanding citizens are Betty Muhlenbeck and Michael Keller.

The honors were announced as part of the annual Bristol Progress Days banquet, held Friday evening at the Parkway Chateau. The banquet kicks off the annual weekend community festival.

Here’s what Outstanding Citizen Committee Co-Chairman Shirley Davidson had to say at the banquet in introducing Keller and Muhlenbeck.

2009 Bristol outstanding citizen Michael Keller.

“This year’s outstanding man is a fairly recent Bristol resident. He’s only lived in Bristol for 17 years. During that time he has been a coach in softball, flag football and soccer, coaching his kids and their  team members. He is active in both the Cub Scout Pack 395 and Boy Scout Troop 395. He is a member of the Fire Department, devoting many, many hours — too many to count — responding  to emergencies, training, stand-by time and as an instructor to younger members of the department. He was recently promoted  to lieutenant. Did I mention that he is active as an EMR-IV tech? This year’s outstanding man is Michael Keller.”

2009 outstanding citizen Betty Muhlenbeck.

“She’s been a wife for more than 62 years, mother of three. One of her children reports that she would transport members of the North Bristol softball team to the ball diamond at Benson’s Corners — 45 and 50 to you younger ones here tonight. They say she even put one or two in the trunk of that ’48 Chevy. She’s grandmother to four, special grandmother to two others and great grandmother to two more. She has been PTA president, Sunday school teacher and taught vacation Bible school. She has entered baked goods in the Kenosha County Fair, bringing home many ribbons. But she’s not retired yet, serving as a poll worker on the Election Board every election. Our outstanding woman is Betty Muhlenbeck.”

For coverage of Miss Bristol 2009 go here.