Schricker Award Nominations Due Today

Posted on Author WKVI
Henry Schricker
Henry Schricker

Today is the deadline to submit your nominations for the Henry F. Schricker award.

The award is given to a Starke County resident who has shown that he or she has put “service before self”. That was the motto of former governor Henry F. Schricker who exemplified that action while he served in office and as a resident of Starke County.

The Starke County Chamber of Commerce will review all submissions and a committee of former award winners will select this year’s recipient. A nomination form is available on the Starke County Chamber’s website at www.starkecountychamber.com. Include the qualities and deeds of your nominee. The entry should include the person’s voluntary contributions and benefits to Starke County.

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Nominate a Candidate for the Henry F. Schricker Award

Posted on Author WKVI
Henry Schricker
Henry F. Schricker

Nominations for the coveted Henry F. Schricker award are being accepted until Tuesday, Sept. 30.

The award is given to a Starke County resident who has shown that he or she has put “service before self”. That was the motto of former governor Henry F. Schricker who exemplified that action while in office and as a upstanding resident of Starke County.

The Starke County Chamber of Commerce will review all submissions and a committee of former award winners will select this year’s recipient. A nomination form is available on the Starke County Chamber’s website at www.starkecountychamber.com. Include the qualities and deeds of your nominee. The entry should include the person’s voluntary contributions and benefits to Starke County.

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Senator Discouraged by Voter Turnout

Posted on Author WKVI
Senator Jim Arnold
Senator Jim Arnold

A state senator who represents parts of the Kankakee Valley is discouraged by Tuesday’s anemic voter turnout. Democrat Jim Arnold’s district includes parts of LaPorte, Starke and St. Joseph Counties. Starke County saw 22-percent of registered voters cast ballots. Even in the General Election, 30 to 35 percent is considered a good turnout. Arnold says that means 60 to 65 percent of residents will be governed by their decisions. He also finds the most vocal critics of state government are the ones who don’t bother to vote. Arnold spoke yesterday to the Starke County Chamber of Commerce. He encourages local party and business leaders to recruit qualified, professional individuals who understand the office they are running for and not just the position in government.

 

Volunteers Needed to Spearhead Bicentennial Celebration Pillars

Posted on Author WKVI

Indiana BicentennialStarke County’s participation in Indiana’s upcoming bicentennial celebration may be limited unless organizations or individuals step up and volunteer to help with event planning.

Commissioner Kathy Norem says the county’s only commitment right now is to be part of the 92 county torch relay in 2016. According to the bicentennial website, it’s “designed to promote and unify the state by connecting people, communities and regions. Hoosiers will also symbolically “pass the torch,” connecting past and current generations to future ones to IGNITE our future.”

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Two Starke County Chamber of Commerce Awards Presented Last Night

Posted on Author WKVI

Henry Schricker
Henry Schricker
The Starke County Chamber of Commerce last night awarded the second annual Business of the Year award and the Henry F. Schricker Award during a ceremony held at the Bass Lake Property Owners Association Building. Dr. Ron May, president of Ancilla College, began the ceremony with an invocation, before Dorothy Osinski, chairman of the membership committee, handed out 10-year consecutive member certificates to 15 members who have been with the Chamber of Commerce for ten years continuously.

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Local Chambers of Commerce Meet in “Business After Hours” Event

Posted on Author WKVI

Debbie Mix
Debbie Mix
A Chamber of Commerce “Business After Hours” event took place last night at the Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center, and according to the executive director of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce, Debbie Mix, this is the first year the Chamber has held this event in an effort to promote networking between various chamber of commerce organizations.

“It’s a Business After Hours event because it allows different businesses to network with each other on a regional basis instead of just local. It will be including Starke County, Marshall County, Bremen and Culver chamber members, and they get the opportunity to meet each other and greet each other,” said Mix.

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Starke County Fair Chamber Wheel Exceeds Fundraising Goal

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The chamber prize wheels at the Starke County 4-H Fair proved once again to be popular attractions, raising a combined total of $724 to support the promotion of local businesses. Contestants paid either 50 cents or $1 per spin, with prizes ranging from ink pens, toys and candy to Indiana Beach tickets and refurbished computers. Every spin produced a winner, based on the slot on which the wheel landed. A total of 48 Starke County Chamber of Commerce member businesses donated items for the giveaways. Chamber director Debbie Mix says the fundraiser far exceeded its original goal of $550, thanks to the efforts of nine chamber board members and representatives from six additional chamber members to staff the booth each night of the fair.

Walorski Visits Starke County Chamber of Commerce

Posted on Author WKVI

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski
Congresswoman Jackie Walorski returned to Knox yesterday afternoon to discuss the main issues faced by Starke County in a meeting with the county Chamber of Commerce. Walorski said she wanted to hear from the community about what their main concerns are and what difficulties residents and the county as a whole face, and she said she came away from the meeting with the idea that the county is in need of a highly skilled workforce and a way to turn the county around economically.

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Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service celebrates grand opening

Posted on Author WKVI
Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service President Scott Bradshaw cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the business during a Starke County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony.
Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service President Scott Bradshaw cuts the ceremonial ribbon to open the business during a Starke County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony.

Starke County’s newest business is open for business. Homemakers A+ Adult Day Service in the Cristo’s Plaza on U.S. 35 celebrated its grand opening with a Starke County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony. The facility offers adult daycare for ages 55 and up and can accommodate up to 30 people. Hours are 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily, with full and half-day service available. President Scott Bradshaw says the business offers activities throughout the day to provide fellowship for clients and keep them mobile. He says the service also gives caregivers a break and peace of mind by allowing them to drop their parents off and know they will be cared for properly. Bradshaw adds that the business serves clients in Starke and all surrounding counties.

Henry F. Schricker Award Presented to Gene Blastic

Posted on Author WKVI
Gene Blastic, surrounded by family, said he was honored to receive the Henry F. Schricker Award.

This year’s winner of the Henry F. Schricker Award was recognized last night during an award dinner at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox. This year’s recipient, Joseph Eugene “Gene” Blastic of Bass Lake, fit the exact meaning of Schricker’s motto of “Service Before Self,” having been active in many community projects and organizations including the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, Starke United, Starke County Chamber of Commerce, Starke County Right to Life, and countless others.

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Henry F. Schricker Dinner Scheduled for Thursday Night

Posted on Author WKVI

This year’s winner of the Henry F. Schricker Award will be recognized tomorrow night during an award dinner at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox.

This year’s recipient is Joseph Eugene “Gene” Blastic of Bass Lake. Gene fits the exact meaning of Schricker’s motto of “Service before Self”. He has been active in many community projects and organizations.

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Starke County Chamber Golf Outing This Week

Posted on Author WKVI

The annual Starke County Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing is quickly approaching, with registration and lunch to begin at noon CT on Friday, Sept. 14. A shotgun start will kick off the outing at 1 p.m.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Mix said the chamber is excited to offer this opportunity to members of the community, and they hope that this year’s fundraiser – their biggest yet – will help the chamber provide the many benefits it offers to the community and its members.

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Employers Must Take Different Approach To Healthcare

Posted on Author WKVI

Mark Savage, director of occupational services for IU Health, spoke to the Starke County Chamber of Commerce members Wednesday night about the rising cost of health care for the employees of the business.

Savage contended that employee healthcare costs are going to increase for employers if their workforce does not become healthier, and he said employers can anticipate a total healthcare cost increase of 6.2 percent this year over 2011.

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Knox City Council Asked to Take Over Gateway Property

Posted on Author WKVI
Back Row: Greg Matt, Mayor Rick Chambers, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, Donald Kring, City Attorney David Matsey. Front Row: Linda Berndt, Jeff Berg and Ron Parker

Gateway and the Starke County Historical Society are in discussions with the City of Knox to deed the Gateway property to the city. When Gateway was conceived, it did not include the Depot and all of the other historic items such as the watchman’s tower, Nickel Plate signal tower or the caboose and tracks.

The area had been an ice and coal yard for years on the west side of U.S. 35 and a fuel distribution center on the east side. To the north was the Golding property that was at one time a 1920 gas station. Jim Shilling convinced the owners of the property to sell it to a private organization called Gateway.

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Dorene Matzat Honored at Henry F. Schricker Dinner

Posted on Author WKVI
Deb Mix, Dorene Matzat and Dorothy Osinski

Dorene Matzat was honored last night as this year’s Henry F. Schricker Award winner at the annual Starke County Chamber of Commerce dinner at the Bass Lake Property Owners Association building.

After hearing accolades given by several friends and her daughter before the award ceremony itself, those assembled heard the story of a woman who always put “service before self.” Whether it was taking an ill and lonely veteran to the VA for treatment, making a delicious meal for community events, singing in the Community Choir, or making a scared little girl feel comfortable on the first day of classes at the Lutheran School, Dorene was always there.

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Henry F. Schricker Award Dinner this Thursday

Posted on Author WKVI
Dorene Matzat

The Henry F. Schricker Award dinner is this Thursday at the Bass Lake Property Owners Association building. The Starke County Chamber of Commerce is still accepting reservations for the dinner today. Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. with the dinner beginning at 7:00 p.m.

This year’s award winner is Dorene Matzat. She has been a model of Henry F. Schricker’s motto of “service before self”. For the past 65 years, she has driven veterans to medical appointments to veterans hospitals, she has mowed lawns for the elderly in the North Judson area as well as her church and she is active in her church and the American Legion Auxiliary. She won the Aid Association for Lutherans Branch Award, the American Legion Auxiliary Member of the Year Award winner and she was also the recipient of the Patty Hunt Memorial Award.

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