A new weekly feature, “Get to know your neighbor” is a chance to learn more about the residents of Marshfield. If you would like to be considered as the subject of future profiles, please email the editor, Adam Hocking at [email protected]. Put “Get to know your neighbor” in the subject line, and provide a short explanation of why you would like to be featured.

This inaugural profile is of Andy Berger of Marshfield. Andy lives with his wife Julie Berger on E. 17th St. in Marshfield.

Hub City Times: How long have you been in Marshfield?

Andy Berger: We’ve been here since 1986, summer of ’86 actually. Julie was commuting. We were living in Wausau, and she was commuting back and forth for about a year and a half. Then I got transferred over here in the summer of ’86.

HCT: Did you meet Julie in Wausau?

Berger: No, we’re both from Oshkosh, born and raised in Oshkosh, met in high school in Oshkosh, went to college together in Oshkosh. Then when I graduated I got my job in Wausau at Wipfli.

HCT: Then you were transferred to Marshfield?

Berger: Yes.

HCT: What is the nature of you work?

Berger: I’m a CPA, and I prepare tax returns.

HCT: What have you liked about being in the Marshfield community?

Berger: Love the school system. It was great for raising your kids. Love the size of the community, the size of the city. It’s just about the right size. We love the fact that we can take your bike and go anywhere in town. It’s safe, and it’s like three miles across town. So it’s real easy to get around, very safe. Love the education system. It was great for both of our kids. They did very well in the school system here, and they have very good teachers and support system for the teachers in the school system. It’s got very good medical care.

HCT: Has Marshfield ever felt too small for you?

Berger: No, not really. No, the traffic congestion in Wausau is a problem because you have just that main street, and Oshkosh just got too big with all the surrounding communities and the crime there, so no, not really. I actually would like it smaller, but then you don’t have the school systems, the support that you need.

HCT: What is your favorite place to go out to eat in Marshfield?

Berger: We don’t eat out very much because Julie’s an excellent cook, and we eat mostly wild game. We don’t eat out because we don’t eat beef for the most part.

HCT: What are some of your favorite things to do in Marshfield?

Berger: Go through the zoo. We love to go to the zoo just walk around or just bike over there from here. Like going to the fair for fair food. We don’t go up for the concerts, but we can hear them right here sitting in our family room.

HCT: Is there anything you would want to see changed about Marshfield?

Berger: I wish they’d use less salt on the roads because—for crying out loud—I’m still cleaning out salt out of my garage from this last winter. I think they overdo the salt thing a little bit on the roads, but it’s better than people getting hurt.

HCT: Have you found a greater sense of community in Marshfield than in other places?

Berger: I think so because I think people are a lot friendlier. You’ve got a smaller community. They’re more apt to run into and befriend a lot of different community members. I mean, you get very friendly neighbors for the most part. When you get involved in the school systems and the different school (programs) like the band program and the choir programs and things like that you meet an awful lot of other community members. So you know an awful lot of people in town, and even the different organizations you can get involved in, they’re small enough that you get to know everybody, and I think that’s really a benefit to this city.