Manahan, Stackhouse Man, Woman Of YearBusiness and civic leaders packed the 2517 Restaurant Thursday night as the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber Of Commerce held its annual membership dinner.
This year, the chamber will be celebrating its 100th year in the community.
Thursday night, it celebrated the businesses and people that help keep Kosciusko County going.
Grace College President Dr. Ronald E. Manahan and The Magical Meadows' Tammy Stackhouse earned Man and Woman of the Year honors.
Stackhouse choked back tears as she thanked the chamber for her award.
"This is really about the children and adults in this community with special needs," said Stackhouse.
The Magical Meadows uses therapeutic horseback riding to help special needs children and adults.
Stackhouse, along with her husband Larry, run the program and are currently starting fundraising efforts to build an indoor facility that will allow the program to thrive year-round.
There will be a bowl-a-thon to raise money as well as discount cards sold. Stackhouse said their fundraising goal is $175,000, and was glad she was recognized because it would bring more attention to The Magical Meadows.
Michelle Boxell, with Cardinal Services, said Stackhouse sees the best in each of her riders.
"She sees their dignity and is intent on each person achieving their utmost," said Boxell.
Boxell recounted watching Stackhouse working with someone with Cerebral Palsy and getting that person to be able to grasp the reins and guide their horse.
"It's a very powerful experience to witness a person who is contained by their disability be given the freedom of movement," said Boxell.
Stackhouse has been involved with Cardinal Services and the Bowen Center.
She is a member of the Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce, Warsaw Kiwanis and a Grace College Kiwanis - Key Club Sponsor.
She is a member of Spirit of Faith Fellowship in Goshen.
She's been married to Larry for 17 years and has a son, Adam Reed.
Manahan was credited with his work to bring Grace College closer to the community.
OrthoWorx Executive Director Brad Bishop noted that Manahan's leadership helped get rid of the "town and gown" gap between Grace College and the community.
Bishop also recognized Manahan and his role in the building of the Orthopaedic Capital Center.
"He did something many thought wasn't possible - he brought the heads of the major orthopedic companies together to collaborate on a major joint project," Bishop said.
He and his wife, Barbara, have two children, a daughter Kelly and son Nathan.
"It's wonderful to be surrounded by good people," said Manahan. "To be a part of a community that values change, obviously, I thank God for his goodness and the opportunities he's given us."
Besides Man and Woman of the Year, several other awards were handed out Thursday night.
Staffmark's Becky Plummer was awarded as the Ambassador of the Year. Plummer was recognized for her hard work for both the chamber and the community.
Grace Village Retirement Community was recognized as the Business Leadership Network Employer of the Year. Jeff Carroll, CEO of Grace Village, accepted the award.
The award is designed to recognize those businesses that are leaders in hiring people with disabilities and providing them with training.
Cardinal Services won the Service Business Award. Cardinal Services' CEO Jane Greene said the award meant a lot because of a rough 2010 in terms of funding.
Silveus Insurance won the Business Award with Scott and Cameron Silveus accepting.
Greg and Sheila Cobb won the Entrepreneur Award. The Cobbs run Freedom Oil and Express locations in the area.
Precision Medical Technology took home the Industry Award. Jeff Thornburg and Kurt Kahmolz accepted on behalf of Precision Medical.
The Special Recognition Award goes to a business that has been open for at least 100 years.
With Dalton Corp. celebrating its 100th year in the community, it took home the award Thursday night.
Dalton Corp. employs 500 people locally.
Jean Northenor was recognized for the Government Excellence Award.
Northenor was unable to attend as she was at home recovering from a knee surgery.
Northenor also was scheduled to receive a special recognition award from State Sen. Ryan Mishler. But since she was unable to attend, Mishler said he wanted to wait to recognize her. Northenor will instead be recognized at the annual Lincoln Day dinner.
The Hands Across Kosciusko County project was highlighted Thursday night.
Businesses and organizations that sign on will get a hand statue for display. They are designed by Pierceton artist Steve Perry.
For more information on Hands Across Kosciusko County, visit www.wkchamber.com or call 574-267-6311.
Chamber of Commerce President Mark Dobson served as emcee, and Lake City Radio's Clint Marsh introduced the Man and Woman of the Year.
Steve Miller, Kosciusko Community Hospital, will serve as the board of director's chair for 2011; John Warren, Tower Bank, is the chair-elect. Tim Meyer, retired from Medtronic, will serve as the treasurer. Kevin Deardorff, Lake City Bank, is the immediate past chair.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins was recognized for his service. Wiggins will be retiring from the board.
Rick Kerlin, Kerlin Motor Company; Monica Lyon, United Way and Young Adults Professionals; Dee Anna Muraski, Kosciusko County Community Foundation; and Tim Ziebarth, Grace College, were named new members.
Dennis Hively, 1st Source Bank; Doris Lemert, Kosciusko REMC; and Jim Strube, Chore-Time Brock were renewed as board members.
Music for Thursday night's event was provided by Gentle Winds Trio.
Ramada Plaza provided the hors d'oeuvres and Wildman Business Group provided the linens for the event.
Kosciusko Emergency Management Director Ed Rock sang the National Anthem, and cupcakes for dessert were provided by Martin's.
Awards sponsors are Biomet, Farmers State Bank, PNC, KeyBank, Lake City Bank, MutualBank, Tower Bank, Lake City Radio and the Times-Union.
