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Just say yes

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Photo by Bill Olmsted

Kerry Knutson

ORFORDVILLE — Kerry Knutson is the go-to guy for community support.

"I have a hard time saying no to people when they come in and ask for stuff," he said.

Knutson has shared his success as owner of Knute's Bar & Grill in downtown Orfordville with everything from school groups and sports teams to Boy Scouts and family benefits.

While he's not originally an Orfordville local, he likes to keep his donations local, with students his main focus.

"Especially in a small town, they don't have a lot resources to go to," he said. "Any time I can help them out, I love to."

Knutson grew up in Janesville, graduating from Parker High before pursuing cooking classes at Blackhawk Technical College. He was a chef and manager at the Elk's Club and Damon's before things fell into place for his latest venture.

While talking in their yards one day, Knutson and his neighbor discussed the restaurant and bar that his neighbor had for sale. From there, one thing led to another.

"I was always kind of a supper club type of person … This has worked out good for us," he said.

The pride in his family business—his wife, son and daughter all help out—shines through as he points out the various improvements he's made in his 10 years in business, which also includes catering from Madison to Rockford.

Monday is cleaning day, he said, and his work shows on the belly of his white "Knute's Bar & Grill" T-shirt.

"Overall, business has been good for us," he said. "That allows me to help out the school, whether it's the school, the Boy Scouts, or whatever."

His work with the schools and parents includes giving students 25 percent of gift certificates they receive—a "huge" percentage compared to other gift cards in the fundraising, said Gloria Yaun, Orfordville Elementary School principal.

"Any time we ask Kerry to do anything for the school, he's just been wonderful," Yaun said.

Andrew Olsen, district director of Glacier's Edge Council, said he knows he can count on Knutson.

"Kerry's always been willing to jump in and help out for anything we've asked him," Olsen said.

Last fall, Knutson donated the food for a spaghetti benefit for the Boy Scouts in memory of Scott Lenz, a victim of a triple murder.

"He threw the idea out there," Olsen said. "From there, it took off."

While some people have questioned donations from a bar, and Knutson says he's made mistakes in the past that he's ashamed of, it's the community support he receives that allows him to give back.

"How can you go wrong by helping kids?" he said.