Awards Presented At Annual Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber Banquet
February 27, 2019 at 5:17 p.m.
Awards Presented At Annual Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber Banquet
By Denise Federow-
After a cocktail social hour and dinner, Andrea Keller, executive director of the chamber, began the program. She told those in attendance, “One of the major achievements this past year was a three-year strategic growth plan.”
She said the board came up with Vision 2025, including 23 initiatives to work on over the next three years and beyond.
Keller said as she began the award portion of the program, “I’m proud to recognize the achievements of so many great businesses and individuals.”
The New Business of the Year award, sponsored by Crossroads Bank, is not a new business but it’s new to Syracuse.
“It is the first to purchase and break ground in the new Syracuse Technical Park,” Keller said, adding the company – Travel Lite – has grown from a $10 million company to a $100 million company.
The Restaurant of the Year, The Pier and Back Porch Restaurant at Oakwood Resort, was nominated for its consistent quality of food and service. Keller said it will be celebrating its seventh summer this year. It’s added a raw bar and live entertainment. The Papers Inc. sponsored the award.
The Service Excellence Award, sponsored by MutualBank, was presented to Main Channel Marina – a local marine industry that has been in business since 1977. Keller said the business tripled over the last three years.
The next award, sponsored by Team Tuttle Mortgage, was the nonprofit of the year award and was presented to The Lions Club. Andrea said this group of people makes exceptional contributions to the community. Founded in 1917, the Lions meet the needs of the community every day, according to Keller. They provide vision screenings to first-, third-, fifth- and eighth-graders. The Lions also provides dictionaries for third-graders and two high school scholarships.
The Young Professional Visionaries Award went to husband and wife Susan and Andy Cripe, who are active in the community and the Lakeland Youth Center. The award was sponsored by Horizon Bank.
The Outstanding Educator award was presented to Student Services Coordinator Cindy Black. The nomination commended her for her passion for her student’s success and work with students with disabilities. Black also coordinates the annual Giving Tree project. The Outstanding Educator Award is sponsored by Lakeland Animal Clinic.
The Most Uniquely Syracuse Award recipient, The S.S. Lily Pad, has been operating in the community for 23 years. It does several fundraisers and gives out hundreds of rides. It’s also been host for the boat-in worship and 2019 will be its 50th year for the boat-in worship. The Most Uniquely Syracuse Award is sponsored by Northern Lakes Insurance.
After the banquet, Doug Shoemaker, of the S.S. Lily Pad, said he was glad to be part of a small community where everyone works together. “It takes a lot of people to make the community a great place to live,” he said.
The Syracuse Man of the Year, sponsored by Owen Family Funeral Home, was awarded to School Resource Officer Joe Leach, who is also on the security team for his church.
After the banquet, Leach said it was “a huge honor to be able to come back to the community I grew up in and have a chance to make an impact on children.” He said his DARE officer had made an impression on him when he was a child. “I’m thankful for those who nominated me. I’m just glad to be here impacting children’s lives for the better,” he said.
The Syracuse Woman of the Year, sponsored by Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware, was awarded to Director of Trails Megan McClellan, who has, in her five years as director of trails, raised $600,000, plus an additional $1.3 million in grants and recently applied for an additional $1 million to $2 million in Next Level Trail grant funds to finish the Conklin Bay Trail. During her tenure she oversaw the completion of the five-mile Loop Trail around the lake.
After the banquet, McClellan said, “I couldn’t do it without everyone here in this room. So many people congratulating me are the reason I’ve been able to raise the funds. I’m glad I’ve been able to make those changes. It’s an honor.”
Two of the award recipients were unable to attend – Retailer of the Year NAPA Auto Parts, sponsored by Lake City Bank, and Chamber Ambassador of the Year Award Matthew Boshard, sponsored by Bass Audiology.
There was also a silent auction with over 50 items donated by local businesses.
After a cocktail social hour and dinner, Andrea Keller, executive director of the chamber, began the program. She told those in attendance, “One of the major achievements this past year was a three-year strategic growth plan.”
She said the board came up with Vision 2025, including 23 initiatives to work on over the next three years and beyond.
Keller said as she began the award portion of the program, “I’m proud to recognize the achievements of so many great businesses and individuals.”
The New Business of the Year award, sponsored by Crossroads Bank, is not a new business but it’s new to Syracuse.
“It is the first to purchase and break ground in the new Syracuse Technical Park,” Keller said, adding the company – Travel Lite – has grown from a $10 million company to a $100 million company.
The Restaurant of the Year, The Pier and Back Porch Restaurant at Oakwood Resort, was nominated for its consistent quality of food and service. Keller said it will be celebrating its seventh summer this year. It’s added a raw bar and live entertainment. The Papers Inc. sponsored the award.
The Service Excellence Award, sponsored by MutualBank, was presented to Main Channel Marina – a local marine industry that has been in business since 1977. Keller said the business tripled over the last three years.
The next award, sponsored by Team Tuttle Mortgage, was the nonprofit of the year award and was presented to The Lions Club. Andrea said this group of people makes exceptional contributions to the community. Founded in 1917, the Lions meet the needs of the community every day, according to Keller. They provide vision screenings to first-, third-, fifth- and eighth-graders. The Lions also provides dictionaries for third-graders and two high school scholarships.
The Young Professional Visionaries Award went to husband and wife Susan and Andy Cripe, who are active in the community and the Lakeland Youth Center. The award was sponsored by Horizon Bank.
The Outstanding Educator award was presented to Student Services Coordinator Cindy Black. The nomination commended her for her passion for her student’s success and work with students with disabilities. Black also coordinates the annual Giving Tree project. The Outstanding Educator Award is sponsored by Lakeland Animal Clinic.
The Most Uniquely Syracuse Award recipient, The S.S. Lily Pad, has been operating in the community for 23 years. It does several fundraisers and gives out hundreds of rides. It’s also been host for the boat-in worship and 2019 will be its 50th year for the boat-in worship. The Most Uniquely Syracuse Award is sponsored by Northern Lakes Insurance.
After the banquet, Doug Shoemaker, of the S.S. Lily Pad, said he was glad to be part of a small community where everyone works together. “It takes a lot of people to make the community a great place to live,” he said.
The Syracuse Man of the Year, sponsored by Owen Family Funeral Home, was awarded to School Resource Officer Joe Leach, who is also on the security team for his church.
After the banquet, Leach said it was “a huge honor to be able to come back to the community I grew up in and have a chance to make an impact on children.” He said his DARE officer had made an impression on him when he was a child. “I’m thankful for those who nominated me. I’m just glad to be here impacting children’s lives for the better,” he said.
The Syracuse Woman of the Year, sponsored by Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware, was awarded to Director of Trails Megan McClellan, who has, in her five years as director of trails, raised $600,000, plus an additional $1.3 million in grants and recently applied for an additional $1 million to $2 million in Next Level Trail grant funds to finish the Conklin Bay Trail. During her tenure she oversaw the completion of the five-mile Loop Trail around the lake.
After the banquet, McClellan said, “I couldn’t do it without everyone here in this room. So many people congratulating me are the reason I’ve been able to raise the funds. I’m glad I’ve been able to make those changes. It’s an honor.”
Two of the award recipients were unable to attend – Retailer of the Year NAPA Auto Parts, sponsored by Lake City Bank, and Chamber Ambassador of the Year Award Matthew Boshard, sponsored by Bass Audiology.
There was also a silent auction with over 50 items donated by local businesses.
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