Dedicated Community Members Honored at Starke County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner

Posted on November 9, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

The Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center was teeming with community spirit Thursday evening during the annual Starke County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner.

The event was attended by local leaders, state representatives, former award recipients and a plethora of caring community members. It was led by Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Gurrado and Executive Director Jessica Craig.

The man of the hour was the owner of Territorial Engineering Van Janovic, who was presented with the Henry F. Schricker Service Before Self Award.

Brenda and Van Janovic, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessica Craig 

and Chamber President Jerry Gurrado

Chamber President Gurrado shared a bit about the man behind the award before he was welcomed onto the stage, “People like Van are why our communities are so inviting and he’s truly deserving of this award.”

He added, “I don’t know that there could be a more fitting tribute to someone that he actually has to step out of the shadows and be our man of the night.”

Mr. Janovic was recognized for his involvement in the community, the numerous projects he has donated his time and services to and his incredibly humble personality.

Since Van was celebrating his birthday on Thursday, the entire community center erupted into the Happy Birthday song after he received his award.

The Chamber also presented two Above and Beyond Awards.

Kid’s Closet Director Linda Lewandowski

Both recipients are based out of North Judson. The director of the Kid’s Closet Ministry Linda Lewandowski, as well as Nan Wellman and her team from O.T.E.S Signs and Graphics, were honored for the impact they’ve made on the community.

O.T.E.S Owner Nan Wellman and her team

Before presenting the Business of the Year Award, Chamber President Gurrado highlighted that the selection process can be difficult when there are so many promising organizations in the area.

Gurrado shared, “Honestly, we could have given out four ‘Business of the Year’ awards easily this year and still left a lot of people out. That’s what kind of growth we’re starting to have.”

Traffic Control Specialists President Tracy Triska

Ultimately, Traffic Control Specialists out of Knox was determined to be the 2018 Business of the Year. President Tracy Triska accepted the award on behalf of her company.

Downtown Depot catered the event, Silver Leaf Florist provided the centerpieces and every attendee received a takeaway bag from Poppin’ Off Popcorn.

You can hear more from the Starke County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner during this week’s Kankakee Valley Viewpoints program which airs every Sunday at noon right here on K99.3 WKVI.

Starke County ‘Business of the Year’ and ‘Above and Beyond’ Award Winners Announced

Posted on November 5, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

This week, a number of vital people and organizations will be recognized for the important impact they’ve made on the community during the annual Starke County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner.

At the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center this Thursday, the Henry F. Schricker Service Before Self Award will be presented to Van Janovic, of Territorial Engineering. The Business of the Year and Above and Beyond awards will also be presented at this time.

The 2019 ‘Business of the Year’ is Traffic Control Specialists, Inc located in Knox. In a social media post, Chamber of Commerce representatives congratulated President Tracey Triska for the amazing contribution her company has made to the community by donating time, labor, signs and much more.

Some additional important people in Starke County will be recognized on Thursday night for showing their ability to go to spectacular heights with their community-oriented efforts.

One recipient of the Above and Beyond award this year is Linda Lewandowski, the director for the Kid’s Closet Ministry. Chamber reps shared that a part of Linda’s nomination mentioned that she began Kid’s Closet virtually out of a closet with a dream of serving the children and families of Starke County and the organization has grown tremendously over the years under her leadership.

The other Above and Beyond award winner is OTES Signs and Graphics. According to the Chamber of Commerce, OTES does an exceptional job of helping local business owners, supporting the community, and hiring local talent. Owner Nan Wellman will be accepting the award on behalf of her business.

Thursday’s ceremony will run from 6 p.m. until around 9 p.m. If you have any questions contact the Starke County Chamber of Commerce at 574-772-5548.

Join the Starke County Chamber of Commerce at their Annual Awards Dinner

Posted on October 16, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Tickets are currently on sale for the annual Starke County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner.

This dinner will be held on Thursday, November 8th from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center.

During this awards ceremony, the Chamber will recognize the recipient of the Henry F. Schricker Service before Self Award, the designated Business of the Year as well as the winners of the Above and Beyond Awards.

Tickets for the event are about $35 each. They’re available at the Starke County Chamber of Commerce Office or you can purchase them through eventbrite.com.

Chamber Executive Director Jessica Craig said the award recipients will be selected and announced on Monday, October 22nd. The selection committee consists of a few local officials as well as past award recipients

Craig noted that all past nominations remain in the running until they’re selected. She said the person who is most likely to win the ‘Service before Self Award’ is someone who has been nominated multiple times since that shows a long-term commitment to making an impact on the community.

She added that last year, the attendance for this event grew by about 40 percent and they’re hoping to see an even larger turn out this year. If you have any questions, you can contact the Starke County Chamber of Commerce at 574-772-5548.

Starke County Chamber of Commerce Announces Award Recipients

Posted on October 25, 2017
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

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.

The annual dinner to honor the award recipients will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 2nd. This year, the Bass Lake restaurant Sporty’z Bar and Grill will be catering and the Portage-based business All About the Selfie will be on site, taking green screen photos as souvenirs for dinner guests.

In order be sure there is enough space and food, attendees are asked to RSVP by Friday, October 27th. To RSVP, contact Executive Director Jessica Craig by calling 574-772-5548. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased before hand or the day of with cash or check but in order to pay in advance with a credit or debit card, visit the Henry F. Schricker Awards Dinner page on eventbrite.com.

Nominate Someone Now for the Henry F. Schricker Award

Posted on September 30, 2017
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

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.

Both awards will be presented during the annual awards dinner on Nov. 2 at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox. Tickets for the event are on sale now for $35 and can be purchased through the chamber office and online through www.eventbrite.com.

Nominations for both awards will be taken until Tuesday, Oct. 10. Email your candidate to info@starkecountychamber.com or mail it to 400 N. Heaton Street, Knox, IN 46534.

Starke County Chamber Honors Fingerhut Bakery

Posted on November 5, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI

A local institution for seven decades is the Starke County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. Fingerhut Bakery’s famous buttercream coffee cake recipe dates to Bohemia in the 1700s. It’s just one of the legendary products offered at the North Judson, Knox and Bass Lake stores. Owner Keith Fingerhut is a sixth-generation baker and works alongside his sons, Doug and Greg each night to ensure fresh, flaky pastries and breads for their loyal customers six days a week.

The Fingerhut family was honored Thursday night. Starke County Chamber Board member Sarah Lawrence read from the comments received by the nominating committee, including several from bakery employees.

“We are more like a family than coworkers…The quality of our products are better than anything out there…Fingerhut Bakery is a tremendous place to work…Been in business for 70 years, must be doing something right.”

All three Fingerhut Bakery locations were nominated individually. Lawrence says the committee’s favorite comment was the proverbial icing on the cake.

“Providing the Starke County area with the items we need to get up in the morning and make the world go ’round. Here’s to coffee and donuts, cheers!”

Keith Fingerhut accepted the award on behalf of the entire family.

“The wives, they have to put up with a lot for this nighttime stuff, but if you don’t do it at night, you don’t have fresh donuts in the morning. I thank you all for the award. Thank you.”

The plate of custom Bicentennial Torch Relay cookies at the Bass Lake Fire Station didn’t last very long. That’s where the torch was officially handed off from Pulaski to Starke County during last month’s celebration.

The Fingerhut Bakery location in North Judson did a custom banana cake with cream cheese frosting for WKVI News Director Mary Perren’s recent celebration. It was almost, but not quite, too pretty to eat.

Fingerhut Bakery Named Chamber’s 2017 Business of the Year

Posted on October 25, 2016
Author Tyler Maffitt, WKVI

The Starke County Chamber of Commerce has selected its Business of the Year for 2017.

Fingerhut Bakery was announced this week as the recipient. Chamber committee members tasked with making the selection said their decision was influenced by the number, and quality of comments the business received during the chamber’s nomination and selection process.

The Starke County Chamber of Commerce accepted applications for its Business of the Year award between late September and October 10th. There were several requirements that the winner had to meet, including: being in operation for three years, be a chamber member, and contribute to charitable causes and community involvement.

Fingerhut Bakery received praise by customers for providing pastries and other treats for Starke County. Apart from what members of the public said was great customer service the bakery was also championed for its community involvement - donating to several charitable causes over the years.

The company takes over the award for Kersting’s Cycle Center - which was the 2016 winner. Fingerhut Bakery will be honored at a Chamber of Commerce dinner during the winter months.

The Business of the Year committee noted the number of positive reviews Fingerhut Bakery received for its locations in Bass Lake and Knox, not just a single locale, as helping to secure the honor.

A press release indicates that the Chamber of Commerce felt the quality of nominations was top notch compared to previous years.

Chamber Dinner Honors Top Business, Schricker Award Recipient

November 6, 2015AuthorTyler Maffitt, WKVI 

It was a Who’s Who of Starke County Leadership at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center, Thursday night.

The Starke County Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Award Dinner. The gathering recognizes chamber members, but also honors community servants and top business performers.

Last night’s event saw the Henry F. Schricker Award bestowed to Melba Shilling for her service to the community. Shilling served as both Starke County Historian, and is a member of Tri Kappa, taking up the award’s credo “service before self.”

Due to the recent passing of Schilling’s husband Jim, she will accept the award at a small gathering in the spring.  Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Mix accepted the award on Shilling’s behalf.

“Jim had always said that he always believed that when he received his [award] in 1998, he really believed that Melba should have been a part of that time because there’s nothing that he did that she wasn’t a part of. It was decided that it was time to give Melba her own award,” says Mix.

The presentation of the Henry F. Schricker Award, however, was not the only accomplishment being celebrated. This year, the Starke County Chamber of Commerce recognized Kersting’s Cycle Center as its Business of the Year.

The company’s humble beginnings were highlighted next to what has become a major motorcycle name and tourism draw for Starke County. Owner Jim Kersting said he was overwhelmed to receive the honor.

“The motorcycle business has been extremely good to me and my family,” says Kersting.

Following the dinner, with dozens in attendance, the Chamber of Commerce recognized members who have been part of their efforts for the past 15 years, which included 30 organizations.

The Chamber of Commerce stated during last night’s festivities their desire to meet with members and improve their efforts.

Starke Chamber Names Kersting’s Cycle Center Business of the Year

October 27, 2015AuthorMary Perren, WKVI 

Kersting’s Cycle Center is the Starke County Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business of the Year

“The little shop in the middle of nowhere where wonderful folks come from everywhere” is the 2015 Starke County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.

Kersting’s Cycle Center owner Jim Kersting and his late wife, Nella, opened a small engine repair shop south of North Judson on State Road 39 in 1960. The original building has grown to more than 37,000 square feet with more than 20 employees during the busy motorcycle riding season.

In addition to the motorcycle showroom and repair shop, Kersting’s is also home to The World of Motorcycles Museum. The 24,000 square foot building is home to more than 150 motorcycles, automobiles, antiques and memorabilia. Former Gov. Mitch Daniels, a motorcycle enthusiast, paid a visit to the museum during his second term. Visitors from around the world stop in to see the extensive collection of vintage motorcycles.

Each year a North Judson-San Pierre High School senior receives a scholarship in memory of Nella, who died in 2003. Jim also supports several charities, serves on the North Judson Board of Zoning Appeals and had a hand in founding the Kankakee Valley Harley Owners Group, or H.O.G. Chapter. That organization also supports numerous charities. Jim was also one of the founding fathers of the North Judson Mint Festival, which occurs every Father’s Day weekend.

Kersting’s Cycle Center will be recognized during the annual Starke County Chamber of Commerce Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. and will be followed by the dinner and awards at 7.

Starke County Business of the Year Nominations Open

Published: September 16, 2015 By: Michael Gallenberger, WKVI 

The Starke County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for 2016 Business of the Year.

They’re looking for businesses that provide consistent products or services, promote community events and encourage employees to be involved. To qualify, nominees must have been in business for at least three years and be a member of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce. Chamber director Debbie Mix says there are plenty of businesses fitting those criteria, but they need people to nominate them. She also says people can nominate their own businesses.

You can nominate a business by downloading this form, or you can pick it up at the Starke County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center Office in Knox.

Mix says it’s a good opportunity for businesses, “The winning business will receive recognition at the annual Starke County Chamber Dinner, which will be in November, and we just ask that you nominate the business you feel best meets the criteria and express your reason why you think they should be named the 2016 Starke County Business of the Year.”

The deadline to submit nominations is this coming Monday, September 21.

Nominations Open for Starke County Business of the Year

Published: August 22, 2014

By: Mary Perren, WKVI

The Starke County Chamber of Commerce is accepting Business of the Year nominations through Sept. 1. In order to be considered, a business must be a chamber member that has been in businesses for at least three years.

The business must also promote consistent products or service to its customers and the community and promote and encourage employees to be involved in community events. The winning business will be recognized at the annual Starke County Chamber of Commerce Dinner. Nomination forms are available by clicking here Starke County Chamber Business of the Year Nomination Form They can also be picked up at the Starke County Chamber of Commerce office. Visit http://www.starkecountychamber.com/ for more information.