Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
It was an evening of celebration and a time to honor those who have contributed to making downtown Warsaw a vibrant center of commerce and civic life.
The Warsaw Community Development Corp. honored the Warsaw businesses who have most exemplified the spirit of rebirth during the past year and foster a spirit of teamwork.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Ron Manahan, president of Grace College, extolled the teamwork approach of the WCDC and the night's honorees in his address.
"Those who chose to put people first in the WCDC's mission statement knew what was most important," he said. "We chose to put people above things - in our work and in our lives. We make sacrifices for people."
It's that focus on people that is the essence of the teamwork necessary for any successful endeavor.
"When you're a member of a group, the focus is on the individual. When you're a member of a team, the focus is on others," Manahan said. "If someone looked at the people in this room tonight, and they asked, 'Are you a group or are you a team?', I would hope the answer is that you are a team."
The WCDC team members honored last night for the following categories are:
Community Development Award - Sprint, for donating the old Elks building on West Center Street to the WCDC, and Paula Bowman, of Kaleidoscope Interiors/Courthouse Coffee, for the renovations being done to her business, were both presented with the community development award by Jean Northenor and Jim Brennan.
Main Street Design - There were three winners: Mutual Federal Savings Bank, for the expansion of their building; Warsaw Community Public Library, for its renovation; and Lake City Bank, for its expansion on East Market Street. All awards were presented by Kurt Carlson.
Downtown Entrepreneur Award - Cox Studio/Apollo Photo Center received the Downtown Entrepreneur award in recognition of their more than 40 years downtown, at 151 S. High St. The award was presented by Bob Sanders.
WCDC Board Recognition - Executive Director Latrecia Brown honored resigning board members Susan Allen and Jim Brennan and board member Kurt Carlson.
