By Barb Ludlow
News-Chronicle
Two Kewaunee women, friends for years, have a lot in common, including a mutual love for the green and gold.
Ethel Kuehl and Barb Pelnar are both avid Green Bay Packers fans, even though Pelnar doesn't get to too many games. She has two autographs on her wall, signed by former coach Mike Holmgren and former offensive lineman Ross Verba. Each took part in the Harley Ride for Muscular Dystrophy when it stopped at Harbor Park in Kewaunee, across the street from Pelnar's home.
Pelnar allowed Holmgren, one year, and Verba, the next, to use her facilities, providing they would sign her wall. It has since been covered with acrylic, but it has faded over the years, she said.
Pelnar also would probably set the record (five hours) for standing in line for an autograph of Packers' quarterback Brett Favre.
"I got into the line outside of Sam's," she said, "and, when we finally got inside, the line wound all the way around the store."
She said, when they were just getting close, the store manager announced that Favre had already stayed an hour longer than planned and had to leave.
"A lot of people left," said Pelnar, "but, those of us who stayed began singing, ÔWe love you Brett, won't you please stay,' and he finally grinned and waved us up."
Pelnar said she still communicates with a woman she met while waiting.
"You can get to know someone pretty well, standing in line together for five hours," she said.
Kuehl has a thing for autographed footballs and has collected 11 of them over the years, dating back to former Super Bowl Champions quarterback, Bart Starr.
"Two of them are with Bart Starr's autograph. All of my footballs have come from benefits and fundraisers," said Kuehl. "Many were bought at silent auctions."
Her newest is a green ball with gold lettering that came from the East Shore Industries' Fall Fantasia fundraiser. She has a Donald Driver autographed ball, a Brett Favre Super Bowl Champions 1997 ball and some from the John Anderson, Mike McCoy and Johnny Gray eras.
A highlight in Kuehl's love affair with the Packers happened this fall when she watched the Seattle game from the field level. A friend had permission to be on the field and he took a few friends, including Kuehl. The day included a partial tour of the newly remodeled Lambeau Field, including entering the field through the players' tunnel.
She has been a season ticket holder for years and was actually at the famed Ice Bowl. "I was in Section 36, row 48, seat 5," said Kuehl. "A lot of people who weren't there say they were, but I really was."
She said it was cold, but they were too excited to notice. They wore a lot of clothes, plus a snowmobile suit, boots and blankets to combat the cold.
"We did go down at the half and the restroom was packed," said Kuehl.
She's been going to Packers games since Lambeau Field was first built in the late 1950s.
"I never went to the old stadium," she said. "We didn't have season tickets. We just went and bought a ticket before the game."
Another treasure of Kuehl's is an autographed helmet, actually worn by a Packer player. It came with three autographs, including Aaron Brooks, the current Saints quarterback, and former Packer receiver Corey Bradford. She has added to that with Frank Winters, Ahman Green, Willie Davis, Jan Stenerud, Donald Driver and Vonnie Holliday, just to name a few. But, the longest she stood in line for an autograph was three and a half hours.
Kuehl has a collection of Packers Christmas ornaments, bobble heads, a Packers basket, a large Packers snowman, plus blankets, towels, etc.
Pelnar and Kuehl have gone to away games and both happened to be in San Diego when the Packers played in the Super Bowl against the Broncos. Neither had tickets, but hoped to buy one there. However, the asking prices were too steep.
Pelnar and her group ran into the Kuehls and their friends in the stadium parking lot. They didn't see the game, but had a great time tailgating.
Kuehl has been to away games in Chicago, Minnesota and St. Louis, while Pelnar has been to Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Tampa and San Diego for a Packers/Chargers game.
"We brought Wisconsin brats and a gal from San Diego came with fish tacos," she said with a hearty laugh. "But, we had a great time, even though some of their fans weren't too nice."
They went to Tampa several years ago, without tickets, and found a fan with four tickets who sold them for $40, $10 each.
"And, they were on the 50-yard line," said Pelnar.
Both Kuehl and Pelnar are hoping the Packers have a long run into the playoffs this year.
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