Demopoulos Receives Reneker Award At Winona Community Dinner
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE – Greg Demopoulos was presented with the 2013 Bill Reneker Community Service Award at the annual Winona Lake Community Dinner Thursday night at Westminster Hotel. Judy Reneker Burd, Bill Reneker’s widow, presented the award to Demopoulos. He was thanked for his service as Kosciusko Velo Cycling Club president and recognized for co-founding the Fat and Skinny Tire Bike festival. He also is the communications director for Warsaw Community Church. “Since moving here our recipient has worked tirelessly alongside many other cycling enthusiasts to maintain and build the mountain bike trails in Winona,” Reneker Burd said. In 2003, Demopoulos, along with Alan Alderfer and Robbie Gast, began working together on the Fat and Skinny Tire Festival. “I truly believe God put me on a bicycle and my family gave me the push,” Demopoulos said. He also worked to make the Kosciusko County Velo Cycling Club a not-for-profit organization. He served as vice president for 10 years and most recently became president of the club, which promotes biking. “He also has been involved in working on the Ride Walk initiative in Warsaw and Winona Lake making cycling safer,” Reneker Burd said. He served on the advisory board of Ride Walk and has been a part of some of the initiatives along Winona Avenue, McKinley Street and Krebs Trailhead as well as upcoming improvements along East Market Street in Warsaw. Also during the dinner, Roger Crouse, 802 Sharon St., and Panos and Georgeann Niarchos, 202 Chestnut St., were presented with home improvement awards. Craig Allebach, town coordinator, announced Pete O’Connell, street superintendent, is retiring effective today after service since 2002 as street superintendent. “We appreciate the work he has done and he will be missed. He has gone above and beyond the call of duty and we thank him for his service,” Allebach said. O’Connell was presented with a plaque and thanks from Allebach and Bruce Shaffner, Winona Town Council president, for his service to the town. Erin Porter, Limitless Park committee chair, gave an update on the Limitless Park and Splashpad that is being constructed in Winona Lake Park. Phase one, the splash pad, fundraising is ongoing with $800,000 raised and $350,000 still needed. Funds are being raised for the playground. The park will be accessible for all abilities including those with special needs and who are handicapped.
