LOCAL SPOTLIGHT - CHARLIE & RITA HERZIK

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

MEET THE HERZIKS Charlie & Rita

LOCAL COUPLE SHARES WHAT MAKES THEIR MARRIAGE AND THE TOWN OF WEIMAR SO SPECIAL

BY EMILY HENDERSON

The Herziks have been happily married for 26 years and it all started with loads of manure – we bet you haven’t heard a love story that begins like that!

While working for M-G, Charlie handled purchasing and Rita was his fertilizer contact. Ten years of talking shop over the phone somehow led to love. So much so, Rita took a leap and left Houston to move to Weimar, where her new husband Charlie was the only soul she knew.

“I think the hardest thing I ever did was sell my home in Houston and quit my job and move here with only two thousand people. It was an adjustment for sure,” Rita admitted.

“We were freshly married and I’d come home for lunch. She would be sitting on the couch then, and she would still be sitting there when I got home at the end of the day,” Charlie chuckled. “I could tell she was struggling. I asked her over and over, ‘How can I help? What can I do?’” he reminisced.

“I knew no one and had nothing to do! I had worked since I was thirteen and not having a job was very depressing,” Rita recalled. “I remember walking into the pharmacy. John Anders was the Pharmacist and I asked him if he needed help. He said, ‘I can only pay $5,’ and I replied, ‘I’ll pay YOU, just let me go to work and get out of the house!’ And from that day forward, my heart opened up to Weimar and I just fell in love with the town as I met the people here.” Top, we challenge you to try and find warmer smiles in all of Weimar; bottom, Charlie met Rita while he was working at M-G in Weimar.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

Charlie and Rita Herzik as they reflect on their continuous years of service in the Lion’s Club.

“I was able to meet another woman making the same type of adjustment, so we were able to do that together and support one another. It’s marvelous how the right people come into your life when you need them most,” Rita went on. “It’s been a wonderful experience to be here and have the community rally around you when you’re in need. You don’t get that in a big city.” After working at MG for 43 years, Charlie seems to know everyone and is one of the most recognizable faces around town. Known for his avid poster hanging and distribution talent, Charlie uses his connections to spread the word for local civic organizations when fundraisers are taking place or help is needed. He has served on the Knights of Columbus for 45 years, where he is currently a Fourth Degree – the highest degree of the order. For those not familiar with the KC organization, the main purpose of the Fourth Degree Assembly is to foster the spirit of patriotism and to encourage active Catholic citizenship. Fewer than 20% of Knights join the Fourth Degree, reflecting just how dedicated Charlie is to serving. In addition, Charlie is a decorated Lion’s Club member. After their marriage in 1996, Rita also joined Lion’s and they both ended up serving as their club presidents at the same time in 1997. Talk about a power couple! As they shared about all the programs they assist in, it’s clear they both possess a passion for service. From scholarship fundraiser meals to the annual kid fish for Charlie, and Sight and Lions Camp for Rita, their hearts are definitely invested in every minute they pour into the organization and the people it serves.

When Charlie and Rita aren’t volunteering, they enjoy being at home and planning their next adventure together. Whether it’s one of their many cruises, or a full Saturday of watching the grandkids participate in their extracurriculars, they make If you see Charlie at “ sure to soak in every moment together. “We’re trying to spend as much time as we can with our grandbabies, because we have no idea how long we’re going to be here and what could happen,” said Rita. “Charlie has been quite a blessing to something, my children and my great grandchildren. They just think he hung the moon. Of course, with him you’re going never having children, he didn’t go through the to see both growing up stage – he got them when they were well into their maturity, lucky guy! But the great of us. grandbabies he has been around since their birth. And we’re expecting our 12th great grandbaby now, she’ll be born in December!” No matter what they choose to do with their time, they choose to spend it together. “I mean, if you see Charlie at something, you’re going to see both of us. He doesn’t just go and leave me at home and I don’t just go and leave him,” Rita announced with a grin from ear to ear. The way they take consideration of one another can be caught in their gaze as they exchanged looks. “If you’re going to love someone, love them to the best of your ability every day,” Rita concluded. As they glanced at one another with a twinkle in their eyes, it was obvious they have mastered that advice and model it every chance they get. Not only for their service to the community, Weimar is blessed to have such a couple leaving a legacy of love and commitment with anyone willing to bear witness to it.