Photo by Deb Gau Karen Lichtsinn accepted Lake Benton's 2026 Citizen of the Year Award on Friday. Lichtsinn said she's loved the experiences she's had volunteering and meeting people in her hometown.

LAKE BENTON — Karen Lichtsinn’s been busy in her hometown for the past 19 years. She’s served as the coordinator of the Lake Benton Chamber of Commerce, as well as taking on a wide variety of volunteer work. But Lichtsinn wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s probably the best job of my life, being a volunteer,” Lichtsinn said. “I love it. I love all the people I’ve had the opportunity to meet.”

On Friday, Lichtsinn was named Lake Benton’s Citizen of the Year during the community’s 80th annual Saddle Horse Holiday. At the same ceremony, Bolt’s Lake Benton Grocery was named Lake Benton’s Business of the Year.

“We’d like to thank everyone for your support,” Bill Bolt told Lake Benton community members as he and his wife Kelly Bolt accepted the award. “We truly believe that if it wasn’t for your willingness to support local businesses, we wouldn’t be open.”

This year’s community award recipients were announced Friday as local residents gathered for the annual hot dog feed at the Lake Benton Community Center.

Photo by Deb Gau Lake Benton Chamber administrative coordinator Denise Taylor, at right, presented Bolt's Lake Benton Grocery owners Kelly and Bill Bolt with the Business of the Year award at Friday's ceremony.

“The Citizen of the Year Award goes to somebody who embodies commitment and dedication, and doing things for our community,” said Lake Benton Chamber administrative coordinator Denise Taylor.

Karen Lichtsinn grew up in Lake Benton, and worked in Minneapolis before returning to her hometown to be closer to family. After coming back to Lake Benton, Lichtsinn has taken on numerous community roles, including coordinating the Lake Benton Chamber of Commerce, and serving with the Lake Benton Historical Society, the Economic Development Association, the Lincoln County Historical Society, and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Taylor said. Lichtsinn also volunteers with Lake Benton’s senior dining, food shelf, and the Lake Benton Opera House.

Licthsinn said receiving the award Friday was “a total surprise.” She said she wanted to thank her parents, John and Anne Lichtsinn, who still live in Lake Benton.

“They’re the greatest mentors and role models you could have,” she said. “Many of the things I do were things that my mom and dad did.”

Lake Benton is a still place where people are open and support each other, Lichtsinn said. ”

This community raised me right,” she said.

Taylor said grocery owners Bill and Kelly Bolt have also made important contributions to the Lake Benton area after purchasing the local grocery store in 2020, by keeping important community services available.

“This business has become much more than a retail establishment. It has grown into a vital community hub, serving residents and visitors alike,” she said. “The business has become a strong supporter of local nonprofit organizations, and has recently been honored by the Southwest Regional Development Commission with the 2025 Project of the Year award.”

Bill Bolt said it was the support of the community of Lake Benton that really made all of that possible.

“We strive very hard every day to provide you with the things you want and the service that you deserve, but we really put this back on you,” he told local residents.

The Saddle Horse Holiday continues today in Lake Benton. Events include a 5K run, family fun day, car show, and cornhole tournament. The Dakota-Minnesota Trail Ride will start at 9 a.m. on Horse Hill. The 80th annual Saddle Horse Holiday parade will start at noon in downtown Lake Benton. The annual saddle horse show will be at 2 p.m., and there will be a firemen’s dance tonight by the Lake Benton fire hall.