In her lifetime, Kosciusko County Woman of the Year Mary Ettinger has taught children, volunteered at the hospital, delivered meals to the homebound and helped raise more than two dozen children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But when she received the award at the 101st Warsaw-Kosciusko Chamber dinner Wednesday – during which Jerry Clevenger also was named 2012 Man of the Year – she wanted the audience to know she paced herself. “I didn’t do all those things at once!” she remarked on stage. Nomination forms for Ettinger note that she also has been president or member of local and national organizations including Girl Scouts, Daughters of the American Revolution, Kosciusko County Historical Society and Court Appointed Special Advocates. Nominator Jackie Horn, a friend of Ettinger’s, wrote that Ettinger “did lots of little things, for several organizations, over a long period of time. I knew Mary was an amazing woman but only when I was completing this nomination form did I realize how much she has generously given to this community of her time and talents.” Clevenger, who started his own insurance agency in 1995 after beginning his career 20 years earlier, also has been involved in more than a dozen organizations. He was equally quick to downplay his accomplishments. When not at work he’s usually on the golf course, “but I have done other things,” remarked the member, president or founder of groups such as Kosciusko Community YMCA, county Crimestoppers, Warsaw High School Octagon Club and the American Heart Association. While on Winona Lake Town Council from 2000 to 2008, he took the lead on the Lake City Greenway, Warsaw Housing Authority and recycling board, noted one nominator. The Man and Woman awards followed several other presentations to area businesses and the people involved in them: • Chamber Ambassador of the Year: Jan Orban, CBRE|Bradley • Young Adult Professional of the Year: Monica Lyon, United Way of Kosciusko County • Business Leadership Network Employer of the Year: Wal-Mart Supercenter • Government Excellence Award: Becky Anglin, Warsaw Police Department • Service Business Award: Miller’s Senior Living Community • Business Award: Murray and Penny Bartel, Bartel Printing • Entrepreneur: Nick Deeter, OrthoPediatrics • Industry Award: Bob and Waneta Bishop, Bishop Farms
