Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Local historian Steve Grill was the recipient of the 2003 William Reneker Memorial Community Service Award Thursday in the Robert and Frances Gordon Student Recreation Center on Grace College campus.
The recognition was presented by Reneker's widow, Judy.
She described Grill as a recognized communicator, educator and director.
The "transplanted Buckeye" came to Winona Lake more than 35 years ago, graduating from Grace College. He currently serves as the Grace College Dean of Community and Non-Traditional Education and is the director of the Reneker Museum of Winona History.
He coordinates the American Lyceum Lectures, portrays Billy Sunday in the locally produced dramatic presentation "Sunday!", leads historical tours of the town and is involved with the Kosciusko County Leadership Academy, the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, the Biomet Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee, the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce Education Council and other groups.
Grill was the evening's guest speaker, too, never suspecting he would be named the Reneker award winner at the conclusion of the dinner.
The local historian advised community members to raise their knowledge of the past and increase their appreciation of the present.
"The future will then take care of itself," he said.
He asked citizens to become inspired by Winona's rich past - of 1885 to 1967, the years that encompass the establishment of Spring Fountain Park, Winona Assembly, Summer School Association, the Bible Conference and the Winona Lake Christian Assembly.
"Stand by Dr. Solomon Dickey's statue [in Auditorium Park] and imagine yourself surrounded by 12,000 people, people from all across the country, who came here when travel was a major undertaking," Grill said of the Chautauqua era, the "Golden Age" of Winona Lake's history.
He also talked about the recent past, a period audience members described as slum-like, sad and disgusting, when many homes had fallen into disrepair and businesses moved from town.
"I was the most disgusted with myself, though," Grill said of this stagnant situation, "for doing nothing."
He credited Brent Wilcoxson with much of the town's renewal by creating the Village at Winona and the Billy Sunday Museum and the restoration of several buildings, including the Winona Lake Hotel.
He asked citizens not to let their appreciation of the present to wax and wane and advised them to create forums to come up with ideas about making the community stronger.
Patrick Kavanaugh of the MasterWorks Festival was present and said a concert is planned for every night of the week, instead of just the weekends this year.
The MasterWorks Festival will begin the last week of June and end in July.
Last year, Kavanaugh, director of the Christian Performing Artists' Fellowship and its subsidiary, the MasterWorks Festival, announced the organizations moving their headquarters here.
Wilcoxson brought attendees up to date regarding businesses in the Village. He said the hotel is nearly complete, with 13 condominiums available for occupancy.
He recognized the operators of the Clock Tower Bakery and Pottery Bayou, who also attended the dinner.
Town council president Jerry Clevenger talked about the local government's goals and projects for 2004.
Home improvement acknowledgements were presented to Larry and Sarah Dunn, 1203 Sunday Lane; Larry and Deborah Tezekjian, 1305 Sunday; and Hunter and Tara Carlile, 303 Auditorium Blvd.
