CLAYPOOL - February 24 will be "A Knight to Remember" at Claypool Elementary School.
The banquet is a kickoff for Claypool's fundraiser for the school's library and other needs. It also will honor all the past Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce Man and Woman of the Year Award recipients.
Paul Berkey, PTO committee chair, said more than 250 businesses and business leaders were invited to the semi-formal festivities. That's in addition to every single Man and Woman of the Year that the committee could find and who weren't deceased. Berkey said all but six were found.
Those six include Don Frantz, Mary Elizabeth Loop, Marion Scott, Margaret Phillips, Esther Marie Stafford, Marilyn Temple and John Replogle.
"I'm expecting 50 of the men and women of the year to be there," Berkey said.
Lee Norman Thorn and Hazel Murphy were the first Man and Woman of the Year Award recipients in 1959. Some of the other recipients since then have included Max Truex in 1960, Ruth Rodeheaver Thomas in 1968, Louis Breading in 1970, Robert Lichtenwalter in 1974, Neal Carlson in 1976 and Joy Carlson in 1978, Jean Northenor in 1983, Dr. David W. Haines in 1986 and Avis Gunter in 1996.
Two men, Terry Klondaris and Dr. Virgil McCleary, shared the Man of the Year honors in 1991. The recent recipients were Dr. Ron Manahan and Tammy Stackhouse for 2010.
If any award recipient hasn't been contacted, Berkey said, they can call him at 574-551-1267, PTO Secretary Amy Rice at 260-802-2017 or the school at 574-566-2300.
Berkey said the committee made a lot of effort to find and invite all the recipients. One of the aspects of the banquet is that the recipients will be presented with an "honorary knighthood", since the school mascot is a knight. Berkey said they want to thank the recipients for their service to the community by "knighting" them.
"It sets a good example for our children, too," said Rice. "It shows that they can reach for the stars and be successful."
Rice said they've asked two representatives from each of the school's sports, student council and classroom to be a part of the "parade of future men and women of the year". The outstanding students will share their own true feelings of what it means to be a Claypool Knight.
"It is a free meal that we've invited people to come and enjoy," said Berkey.
Our Father's House is catering the by-invitation-only banquet. The Claypool and Silver Lake Lions Clubs are paying for the catering.
The menu will include Asian Lettuce and Spinach Salad served with bread basket and garlic butter; herb chicken, roasted rosemary potatoes, zucchini with summer squash; and white torte for dessert. Beverages will include water, iced tea, sparkling grape juice or coffee.
RSVPs are due by Friday. Berkey said that anyone who doesn't RSVP will receive a follow-up call.
Anyone who is handicapped can be provided with extra assistance. If a invitee needs transportation, contact Berkey or Rice.
Rice said they will have signs up for parking. The Claypool United Methodist Church parking lot will be used for overflow parking.
She said the community has been very supportive of the banquet.
"The community is amazing," she said. "It's awesome."
Rice said, "It's going to be a great evening. It's going to pay off in the end."
