Final Webster City Market Night tonight

Work behind the scenes handled by Streigle for three and a half years

By KOLLEEN TAYLOR

Tonight is the last night for Market Nights in downtown Webster City. This huge project falls under the umbrella of the Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce. But the people who have been running hard to make it happen are often overlooked, as we all enjoy the music, activities, special exhibits, food exhibits and promotion of the downtown business district.

There are many individuals who put in extra time to make the event pleasant for everyone, from the city crews setting up picnic tables, the Trash Man employees providing garbage containers, emptying and cleaning them from week to week, and the many volunteers who have been recruited to assist with vendors setting up and directing traffic throughout the downtown area.

But the one face that has pulled this all together has been Robin Streigle, who has coordinated this event for the last three and a half years, as the office and event manager for the Webster City Chamber of Commerce. She was hired by Anna Woodard, the former Executive Director. Tonight’s Market Night will be her last official event for the Chamber.

Streigle's path in working for the Webster City Chamber of Commerce was not in her plan.

"I did not go in looking for a job," she said, "I went in to go get an application for someone else."

This was when Woodard was searching for help in running the extremely busy and challenging organization. Made up of volunteers, with dues paying a small staff, the responsibilities of promoting the community lies heavily on the Executive Director and office staff. The Board of Directors, which is composed totally of volunteers provide support, but guiding through promotional events and activities is managed by the staff.

"I had volunteered there a couple of times prior to that day," she said.

"I didn't think Anna even knew I had been a volunteer," she recalled, but she was offered the job before she left the building.

Since hiring, Streigle has primarily worked as the manager of the office, and events coordinator. This includes not only the Market Nights program, but also Ladies Night Out, Christmas in the City, First Thursday Coffees and other events organized under the umbrella of the Chamber.

Three and a half years later, Streigle felt she needed a new direction, with both family and church needs calling her name.

"I'm off to my next adventure," she said, "I loved it, but God has a plan."

She insists her time there serving the chamber is coming to an end, but hopes to be involved as an ambassador for her church. "My heart is right," said Streigle, "I want the best for Webster City. I love to serve."

Streigle, who has worked tirelessly on the chamber events, wears other hats, serving with her husband Tony Streigle at the Church of Christ., heading up the Family and Women 's Ministry, in addition to taking in foster children. In addition to raising her own family of six, she now has two grandchildren. They are also now fostering an additional six children, and their garden helps feed the family table of eight each meal.