Nominations for Henry F. Schricker Award Due this Month

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Henry F. Schricker Throughout the Years – Photo Source: Starke County Public Library

Do you know someone who goes above and beyond to serve the community and help others? If so, you should consider nominating them for the Henry F. Schricker “Service before Self” Award.

For more than three decades, a local community member has been awarded this honor for exemplifying the giving spirit and showing major motivation in a way that mirrors the philosophy of Indiana’s former governor. Continue reading →

Starke County Chamber of Commerce Announces Award Recipients

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Members of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce met earlier this week to officially decide the winners of Business of the Year, the Above and Beyond Award and the Henry F. Schricker “Service Before Self” Award.

Starke County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessica Craig reported that the winner of Business of the Year is the North Judson-based company First Choice Insurance owned by Carrie Block.

The winner of this year’s Henry F. Schricker Award is Jim Kersting. Craig said that Kersting was a recipient of the Business of the Year award back in 2015 but he has been nominated for the Schricker award three years in a row. Henry F. Schricker Award Committee members, as well as past winners, decided to grant Kersting with the award this year for his continued service to the community.

The winner of the Above and Beyond award is Starke County A.B.A.T.E. This award can go to an individual, a business or an organization. This year the award when to the Starke County American Bikers Aimed Toward Education for their countless fundraising efforts and immersive community involvement. Continue reading →

Community Mourns the Loss of Retired Starke Circuit Court Judge

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Marvin McLaughlin Passing the Indiana Bicentennial Torch in 2016

This week, the Starke County community learned of the passing of long-time Starke Circuit Court Judge Marvin D. McLaughlin. Though he was retired at the time of his death, community members remember his years of service to the county. The 87-year-old North Judson resident was at Pulaski Memorial Hospital when he passed away on Saturday, October 7th.

Marvin McLaughlin attended Butler University and obtained his law degree from Indianapolis University. In 1957, he moved to North Judson to start a law practice. He served as Starke County Prosecutor for four years. McLaughlin went on to serve as a Starke Circuit Court Judge for nearly three decades, from 1963 until his retirement in 1992.  Continue reading →

Nominate Someone Now for the Henry F. Schricker Award

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Nominations are now being accepted for the Henry F. Schricker Award.

The members of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce will review all nominations of those Starke County residents who exemplify the former governor’s motto of “service before self”. This is the 30th Schricker Award to be given to a worthy Starke County resident.

The chamber is also accepting nominations of the Business of the Year.

Continue reading →

Nancy J. Dembowski Accepts Henry F. Schricker Award

Posted on Author WKVI

debbie-and-nancy
Starke County Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Mix and 2016 Henry F. Schricker Award Winner Nancy Dembowski

A lifelong Knox resident who has made a career of community service is the recipient of the 2016 Starke County Chamber of Commerce Henry F. Schricker Award. The honor is named after the former governor and is given annually to someone who embodies his credo of “service before self.” Continue reading →

Starke County Chamber Announces Shricker Honoree

Posted on Author WKVI

Melba Shilling
Melba Shilling

A longtime Starke County Extension Home Economist is the winner of the 2015 Henry F. Schricker Award. Named for the former governor and Starke County native, the award is given annually to a resident who embodies Shricker’s credo of service before self. This year’s committee, comprised of Starke County Chamber of Commerce representatives and former Schricker Award winners, selected Melba Shilling as the honoree. Continue reading →

Skronski Honored With Henry F. Schricker Award

Posted on Author WKVI

SkronskiA longtime Knox High School teacher and farmer is the 2014 Starke County Chamber of Commerce Henry F. Schricker Award winner. The honor is given annually to a resident who embodies the former governor’s credo of “service before self.” Frank Skronski moved to North Judson from Chicago with his family as a young man. He joined the Navy, which is where he met his wife of 51 years, Evelyn Leppelt. After leaving the service he attended Elmhurst College and earned a degree from Northern Illinois University. Continue reading →

Services Scheduled for Starke County Philanthropist

Posted on Author WKVI

James R. Hardesty
James R. Hardesty

Funeral services for James R. Hardesty, 92, Starke County philanthropist, historian, banker, supporter of higher education and of community programs and projects, as well as an active Davis Township farmer until his mid-80s, are scheduled Saturday, June 7 at the Hamlet United Methodist Church.

Much of his community work had been in the background, as he always preferred to go about it without fanfare.

Often recognized for his support of many community activities, he was honored with the Henry F. Schricker Award, given for “service before self,” and the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Ancilla College at Donaldson, where he has been a member of the Board of Trustees and a major financial contributor.

A graduate of Purdue University and a World War II veteran, he was a local historian, authoring publications on the history of the Starke County Courthouse and the Town of Hamlet, as well as being active in the Starke County Historical Society.

Mr. Hardesty was an active member of the Hamlet United Methodist Church and many, many area community organizations.