Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
If a picture is worth a thousands words, then Al Disbro has provided many thousands of words over the years.
He can be seen all over the community and especially in Winona Lake, taking pictures at public and private events that serve to preserve the moment.
Friday, Disbro was the subject of a photo himself when he received the Bill Reneker Memorial Community Service Award at the Winona Lake Community Appreciation Dinner. The award is given each year to a individual who selflessly makes a contribution to the betterment of Winona Lake.
What is unique about Disbro and his pictures is that he has a story about every picture he has taken, knows the people in the picture and provides a wealth of history behind the photographs. Many of his pictures can be found in the Reneker Museum, the Winona Lake Town Hall and other locations throughout Winona Lake. Two of his most visible accomplishments are the photographs he has taken or supplied to two recent books, "Winona Lake Summers" and "A History of Warsaw."
Photography is just a part of his life. Disbro's day job is vice president and manager of the Winona Lake Branch of Lake City Bank. But his service to the community goes far beyond photography and his bank job.
Disbro is president of the Winona Lake Redevelopment Commission and is on the board of the Winona Lake Economic Development Commission. He is a member of Toastmasters, attends Warsaw Community Church and has served on the boards of Grace Village and Riverwood Ranch. He was the 1997 Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year.
During the presentation speech given by Judy Reneker, Disbro was described as unassuming and generous, one of the most visible people in the community but one of the least obvious. He prefers to make others look good. He was also a personal friend of Bill Reneker and they shared many of the same values and ideas about the future of Winona Lake.
It is because of his dedication and service that the Winona Lake Town Council chose him to receive the 2001 Bill Reneker Memorial Community Service Award. Surprising Disbro with their participataion were his wife, Jo; two of his three children; and one of his grandchildren.
Past recipients of the award are: 1994, Brent Wilcoxson; 1995, R. Quentin Rupe; 1996, Dr. Stephen Peoples; 1997, Lisa LeMasters; 1998, Dane Miller; 1999, Lee Jenkins; and 2000, Dr. Ron Manahan.
Also honored at the event was ABC Industries for their 75 years of service to Winona Lake. Jerry Clevenger presented the award to Steve Rufenbarger, president of ABC, after Rufenbarger presented an overview of ABC's history.
Home improvement recognition awards were presented to: Brad Cullison, Tim Mundinger, Tom Snow, Gabriel Surma and Matthew Perry.
Rolly Ortega, president of the Winona Lake Town Council, was the emcee for the evening.
Ortega introduced other members of the town council and presented a recognition plaque to town manager Craig Allebach for his assistance and support to the council.
Ortega closed the event with a challenge to everyone to get more involved in community service. He asked each of those in attendance to volunteer 20 hours over the rest of the year. He pointed out that with 40 weeks left in the year, that's only one-half hour per week.
