Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
H.G. "Gus" Sideris of Warsaw and Rita Schobert of Winona Lake were named 2003 Man and Woman of the Year during the Warsaw Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce 92nd annual membership and dinner meeting Wednesday.
During the evening, Chamber representatives recapped events of the last year, named a new board of directors and recognized community members.
The Man and Woman of the Year Award has been sponsored by the Times-Union and WRSW Radio since 1959.
Sideris and Schobert were both born in Ohio. They also are members of the First Presybterian Church of Warsaw. Their children stayed out of sight until the award presentation.
Sideris remains active as president of Heartline Pregnancy Center and with the Barnabas Mission Program at First Presbyterian Church.
For 14 years, until 1994, he served on the county's United Way boards and commissions. He is a World War II veteran.
Schobert is a volunteer for the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary and the Billy Sunday Museum. She also is chairperson of the Pfleiderer trusts.
The second annual service business award was presented to Hall and Marose, which was established in 1920. John Hall, Mike Hall, Art Marose and Kevin Marose accepted the award.
Smith Appliances owners James and Kay Smith received the Business Award and DeWayne and Melody Barker of Barker Archives accepted the Entrepreneur Award.
The Industry Award was given to G.I. Tape & Label. Second generation owner Jerry Irvine was presented the award.
A Special Recognition Award was given to Little Crow Foods, honoring the Warsaw company's century in business. Tom Lawrence, Rich Utley, Ron Shipley and Greg Deerborn accepted the award on behalf of owners Dennis and Kim Fuller.
Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine was presented the Government Excellence Award and the ATHENA Award went to Vicki Robinson, weight management supervisor at Kosciusko Community Hospital.
Becky Plummer was named Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
In Chamber business, Max Courtney was named the 2004 Chamber Board of Directors chairman taking over the post held by Larry Easterday in 2003. Lowell Owens was named treasurer, Courtney's position last year.
Jeff Garr, Andy Garrett, Roger Moynaham and Kevin Scott were named to the board and Julia Van De Water's, Jane Greene's and Bruce Shaffner's memberships were renewed.
Retiring board members were: Jack Birch, Mitch Goon, Jack Heeter and Susan Hight.
Directors in 2003 were: Kurt Carlson, David Findlay, Bruce Green, Kevin Harney, Pam Hester, Bruce Hope, Andy Lewis, Ray Monteith, Randy Ruppel, Darryl Smith, Sterling Watkins and John Warren.
