Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Dr. Patrick Kavanaugh, conductor of the Symphony of the Lakes and chairman of the music department at Grace College, has been recognized for his service to Winona Lake.
Kavanaugh received the 2005 Bill Reneker Memorial Community Service Award Friday night at Rodeheaver Auditorium during the eighth annual Winona Lake Community Dinner.
More than 100 Winona Lake residents and the Winona Lake Town council members attended the dinner that featured holiday music, comments from town councilmen and dinner amongst the Festival of Trees.
The award recognizes an individual who is respected by the community, involved in some form of service to the citizens of the town that results in significant impact on the community as a whole, and must have been a resident of the town at some point in the previous years.
The award remembers Reneker, a former Winona Lake town councilman, who died in 1993.
The recipient is chosen in January by the Winona Lake Town Council, with approval by Bill Reneker's widow, Judy Reneker-Burd.
Kavanaugh, who also serves as worship leader at the Winona Lake Presbyterian Church, said he is honored to receive the award.
"Winona Lake is a very special place with an amazing spiritual heritage," Kavanaugh said.
"When we give concerts where Billy Sunday preached, or when MasterWorks students have their Bible studies where thousands have come to Bible conferences, then we feel we are a part of God's people through the ages."
Judy attended the dinner and said Kavanaugh is deserving of the award.
"In spite of his many accomplishments, Patrick has a humble servant's heart and we, the people of Winona Lake, are the beneficiaries," Reneker-Burd said.
Kavanaugh has been involved in the dinner each year and has served as a keynote speaker twice.
Speakers during the dinner included Winona Lake Town Council President Rolly Ortega; Brent Wilcoxson, managing director for the Village at Winona; and Tracie Smith Hodson, executive director of the Health Care Foundation.
Ortega thanked Winona Lake residents for their commitment to the town.
"We have a great town and I'd like to thank and appreciate Winona Lake residents for the time they have put into making this town what it is," Ortega said.
Wilcoxson introduced four new businesses in Winona Lake including Cerulean, Gallery D, Just Imagine and Two Red Chairs.
Hodson spoke about the Health Care Foundation and the programs the foundation has for assisting pregnant women and Spanish-speaking citizens.
The proceeds from the Festival of Trees will go toward providing funds for these programs.
"These programs help make a difference in our community and the proceeds collected from the festival will help improve lives," Hodson said.
