South Carolina H 4378: Jim and Cheryl Wiszowaty, SC Poultry Festival Citizens of the Year

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4378 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 23, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4378

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE JIM "Wiz" AND CHERYL 
WISZOWATY OF BATESBURG-LEESVILLE ON BEING NAMED THE 2025 SOUTH CAROLINA POULTRY 
FESTIVAL DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS OF THE YEAR.

Whereas, Wiz and Cheryl 
Wiszowaty grew up in Wisconsin and met while attending Delavan-Darien High 
School. At the age of seventeen, Wiz opened his first restaurant with his 
mother and brother in Delavan, Wisconsin. In 1979, he pulled off the best sales 
job in the world when he persuaded the lovely Cheryl to be his bride. A few 
short years later, he and Cheryl were running their first restaurant, CJ Wiz's 
in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and in 1983 they expanded to a second location in 
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; and

Whereas, always up for 
a challenge, they divested themselves of the restaurants in 1987 and purchased 
the Shore Club in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, renaming it Buttons Bay Inn. This bed-and-breakfast 
boasted a fine-dining restaurant, bar, and marina. After operating Buttons Bay 
Inn for a few years, they sold the establishment and were off to their next 
adventure; and

Whereas, on the heels 
of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, Wiz and Cheryl came to South Carolina to visit 
family who had recently relocated to the Midlands. During their visit, they 
inquired about traditional Southern cuisine, and it was suggested they travel 
to Leesville (as it was known at the time) and try Shealy's BAR-B-QUE. After 
enjoying some barbeque and fried chicken that evening, they traveled about the 
town, delighting in that peaceful community, with its large trees and 
Victorian-style homes dotting the landscape; and

Whereas, shortly 
thereafter, they put down roots in a traditional Southern home located on West 
Columbia Avenue. In 1990, Wiz's Pizza was established and operated at its 
original location until the present location was built on Church Street in 
1994, debuting as Wiz's Eatery. Well known for its burgers, sandwiches, pizza, 
steaks, wings, subs, and generous portions, Wiz's has become the place where 
locals go, as well as a destination for folks near and far. Following a brief 
"retirement," during which Wiz and Cheryl continued to surprise local citizens 
with pizzas, soups, and other treats, the couple decided to don aprons once 
again and reopen as Wiz's Eatery 2.0 in 2023; and

Whereas, during their 
nearly four decades in Batesburg-Leesville, these beloved restaurateurs also 
have been active citizens of the community and are well respected for their 
generosity and patronage. Wiz has given countless hours of his time to the 
community as a former Rotarian; longtime volunteer firemen with the Batesburg-Leesville 
Fire Department, where he also served as assistant chief; baseball commissioner 
for the TCCA; former executive director of the Batesburg-Leesville Chamber of 
Commerce; and former mayor of Batesburg-Leesville. Wiz could not have 
accomplished all this without the support and love of his dear wife, Cheryl. 
Cheryl, a self-proclaimed "crazy dog lady" who loves her fur babies, is quite the 
entrepreneur herself in owning and operating ABC Reporting. While Wiz is the 
culinary genius, Cheryl is the up-front face and is always quick with a smile 
and a hug; and

Whereas, Wiz and Cheryl, 
more times than not flying under the radar and operating anonymously, have 
directed their most notable contributions to those in need. They spearheaded 
Hurricane Helene relief and donated their pits, time, and talents to countless 
barbeque chicken fundraisers. They have operated Wiz's Angels during the holidays, 
helped countless children at back-to-school time, sponsored Batesburg-Leesville 
Panther Athletics for many years, and aided through various other fundraisers, 
causes, and contributions. For their hard work, dedication, and steadfast 
support of the children of Lexington County School District 3, Jim and Cheryl 
received the 2022 Champions for Public Education Award, presented by the South 
Carolina School Boards Association. Because of their overwhelming support and 
friendship to so many in the community, Wiz and Cheryl have become two of 
Batesburg-Leesville's most admired citizens. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House 
of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor 
and congratulate Jim "Wiz" and Cheryl Wiszowaty of Batesburg-Leesville on being 
named the 2025 South Carolina Poultry Festival Distinguished Citizens of the Year.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution 
be presented to Jim "Wiz" and Cheryl Wiszowaty.

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This web page was last updated on April 23, 2025 at 02:01 PM