NORTH WEBSTER - “Thank you for this very much. But I can’t accept it by myself. I have to accept this in tandem with my wife, because she did all the hard work. Thank you so much,” said Michael Wyrick, the 2024 North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year.
The award was among four awards presented Monday at the annual chamber banquet.

    Susan Stump (R) was recognized as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year. Stump serves on the chamber board and has served on or chaired various committees for the chamber. Emily Shipley (L) presented Stump with a certificate and some North Webster Cash. Photo by Deb Patterson, InkFreeNews
  

Wyrick, who moved to North Webster in 1997, is president of the Webster Lake Conservation Association and a member of the Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory Board.
He explained it was his wife, Wanda, who joined WLCA as the secretary, computerized the association, marketed WLCA and grew the concept of WLCA.
“After she did all the hard work, I came along and became president ... I didn’t really do it. I just followed up on what had been done before me,” he said.
Emily Shipley, chamber president, announced the Person of the Year recipient by stating there were several nominations for the award and this year’s winner could share the honor with their spouse.
She stated Wyrick has received a nomination several years in a row.
“So some happy tears were shed when votes were counted and it was official we would be honoring him with this award. Him and his spouse have both been active in our community through the years,” Shipley said.
She stated the couple, a powerhouse couple, was an integral part of the Ski Bees for 20 years. He announced the show, she served as secretary and treasurer and deejay, selecting the music to play at the shows. She served on the Friends of the Library from 2016-2023, serving as treasurer in 2019.

    Clayton Garden Center was named the 2024 Small Business of the Year. Shown (L to R) with the award are Ed and Judy Clayton, Brad Clayton and his wife, Jewel Wise. Photo by Deb Patterson, InkFreeNews
  

It was noted Wanda Wyrick served as treasurer for 10 years, while Mike Wyrick became president and weed chairman in 2017.
“Most recently, he can be seen at every county commissioners meeting, town council meeting, chamber meeting and any other meeting where his voice will be heard about saving North Webster’s dam and consequently avoiding a catastrophic event should the dam fail. He has led the charge to raise awareness and money to create a conservancy.”
Mike Wyrick was noted as a faithful volunteer in the community, always seen out and about helping, smiling, talking and just being the embodiment of North Webster.
“It was written on their nomination form: ‘(this person) is truly a servant. He serves on public boards and volunteers countless hours to benefit our lake and community. He is kind, genuine and approachable.’”
Helping present the award were the Wyrick’s two sons and daughter-in-law, Michael and wife, Tricia, Elkhart, and Mark, Louden, Tennessee; along with cousins, Brian and Pam Paluszewski, South Bend.

Other Awards
Three other awards were presented that evening.
Susan Stump, chamber board member, received the Volunteer of the Year Award. She stepped up in 2024 to help on the Dixie Day Committee and chaired a subcommittee “that helped Dixie Day be one of the most successful to date.” She also served as chair for the banquet.
“This evening would not be taking place without her organization and leadership,” said Shipley.
Clayton Garden Center was named the Small Business Award. The award was accepted by Ed and Judy Clayton, Brad Clayton and his wife, Jewel Wise.
Shipley stated “their long commitment to our community has been extensive. ... Commitment to our community has come in many forms including donating to various fundraisers, being on boards and committees, and being willing to each expertise of their business to young and old.”
Clayton Garden Center has been family-owned and operated since its inception in 1956.
“This business has grown over the years, much in part by the standard set by the current ‘face’ of the business,” Shipley said.
There was some joking included in the presentation.

    Kyle Badskey (L), manager at Neighborhood Fresh North Webster, accepts the Large Business of the Year Award for the local store. Emily Shipley, chamber president, who presented the award is shown on the right. Photo by Deb Patterson, InkFreeNews
  

“I don’t think anyone is really sure who does all the work at this business, but the ‘face’ of the company spends a great deal of time doing public relations, visiting several other businesses in town ... hours on end with the fire department, the community center, the bank and the grocery store ... they know he’ll be gone for hours chatting away about the two topics he most loves — North Webster and his family,” Shipley said.
Ed Clayton briefly spoke how the community stepped up when they spearheaded a Christmas kids drive for North Carolina. He has learned the local efforts helped 900 elementary kids and 100 preschool kids. Additionally, he noted how the community came together to honor Jay Montalbano, the town’s former UPS delivery driver, who passed away last year.
Neighborhood Fresh North Webster Manager Kyle Badskey accepted the award for Large Business of the Year. It was noted the business is willing to give food product or gift certificates to the elementary PTO, community center and countless other organizations.
“One of the greatest things I think this business does for the community is to have several collection barrels for our local food pantry,” said Shipley.
Badskey noted he grew up in the community ever since he was a young kid. His grandfather owned Badskey Realty.
“I am generally really looking forward to being a bigger part of this community,” he said.

Business Meeting
The annual banquet is also a business meeting for the chamber. Board of directors for 2025 were introduced, new members announced and the 2024 Members of the Month recognized.
Reports were heard from the Main Street Committee and the finance committee. An update on Dixie Day was also given.
The announcement of a Farmer’s Market, in cooperation with the North Webster Lions Club, was made. The event will be the second Saturday each month from June through October at the Mermaid Festival Grounds.
The Guy Family was announced as the winner of the cover contest for the chamber’s community guide, and Genevieve DuBois, 11, was recognized for her submission to the contest of her drawing of the Mermaid Festival. This will also be included in the guide.
The final announcement pertained to the 2024-25 chamber scholarship recipient, Landon Smith. He will receive a $1,000 scholarship and plans to attend Ball State University to study sports media and photography.