Yorktown Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Monthly Meeting
December 19, 2017
Luncheon/Awards
YMCA Sports Complex
INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME: Keith Gary, Debbi Gary, Carolyn “Buffy” Grieves, Michael Grieves, Leslie Baim, Doug Baim, Katja Bittermann, Kal Rissman, Mike Baker, Pat Cronk, Sarah Mahboubi, James Hilleson, Roger Walby, Maureen Walby, David Boone, Ed Armantrout, Todd Blevins, Jerry Hoffman, Kelly Flannigan, Al Baker, Barbara Baker, Steve Perry, Bonita Ramirez, Tim Caldwell, Todd Blevins, Bob Ratchford, Christy Baker, Brendon Comp, Leslie Sanders, Greg Hinshaw, Ben Strunk, Margaret Strunk, Heath Dudley, Dustin Humm, Ryan Greenwood, Todd St. John, Pete Olson, Melissa Bucur, Rachel Tucker
SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT: PRN (Pastors and Nurses) Sarah Mahboubi, Pat Cronk, Kal Rissman, James Hilleson – Quartet presented several wonderful music selections both seasonal and oldies. Group includes two pastors who serve as chaplains at IU Ball Memorial Hospital and two RNs.
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS:
Spirit of Small Business Award – E-Keepers – presented by Todd Blevins – Recipient – Dustin Humm. E-Keepers is a full service technical consulting firm that has sponsored “Website through the Night,” assisting not-for-profit organizations with building Websites. The Yorktown Arts Council was pleased to be part of this endeavor in 2016. Humm stated that he was pleased to be associated with E Keepers and to be able to give back to the community. He thanked his very dedicated and talented employees whose goal is to “create things as they ought to be.”
Outstanding Educator – Ryan Greenwood – presented by Heath Dudley – Ryan Greenwood is in his fifth year as a teacher of language arts at Yorktown Middle School. Greenwood is involved in academic team, robotics team, homework help, spelling bee, and spelling bowl. He enjoys teaching, researching and trying new methods. He praised the staff with whom he works, his principal, and superintendent for high expectations for achievement. He further credited the students and their parents for allowing him to be part of their educational experience.
Excellence in Public Service – Ben Strunk – presented by Dave Boone – Fire Chief – Ben Strunk has been giving back to the community since 2002. For the past 15 years, Strunk has served as a volunteer firefighter for the Yorktown Fire Department. He has a passion for serving others and the desire to make his community a better place. Strunk, a father, husband, student, leader and firefighter is currently enrolled at Ivy Tech Community College pursuing his Associates degree in Supply Chain Management and Logistics. Strunk currently holds several certifications in his field and is serving the Yorktown Community as Assistant Fire Chief.
Excellence in Public Service – Tim Caldwell – presented by Todd Blevins – Tim Caldwell’s dedication to the community is seen on a daily basis. He serves as a mentor to new employees in the Town of Yorktown in an effort to make the town look its best. Caldwell has served the Town of Yorktown for 37 years and is often heard saying, “I love my job.” He oversees the maintenance and beautification of Morrows Meadow and other town locations and further sees that town streets are plowed in winter. Blevins stated that Tim Caldwell is “Yorktown’s biggest cheerleader.”
Community Impact Award – Four for the Fourth – Pete Olson, Chris Day, Christy Baker, Bob Ratchford – presented by Keith Gary. Four for the Fourth was created in the summer of 2010, with its first event held in 2011. Pete Olson said, “The idea stemmed from a group of runners who could exercise on Saturday morning and not get hit by a car.” With the support of Bob Ratchford, the group went to work to raise funds for a trail system focused on connecting neighborhoods. The community impact is two-fold, gathering more than 1,000 participants for the July 4, run bringing many people into the community, as well as creating the miles of sidewalks and trails that have improved the safety and quality of life. Other community members involved in this endeavor include Ted Johnson, Norm Aul, John Mickle, Ryan Groves and Ryan Gernard.
LUNCHEON: Provided by Morrison Woods Health Campus. The Yorktown Chamber made a special donation to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a charity supported by Morrison Woods. This organization provides a book per month for children from infants to five years old, promoting reading and literacy.
TOWN REPORT: Pete Olson – The town of Yorktown is wrapping up 2017 projects and has obtained financing to complete the work on Town Hall. Olson indicated that Todd Blevins’s last day of employment is December 19, as he has accepted another position.
SCHOOL REPORT: Greg Hinshaw congratulated Ryan Greenwood for receiving the Outstanding Educator Award. Hinshaw indicated that the Yorktown School Corporation is looking at a long-range plan for a transportation facility and is looking at better aligning the K-5 curriculum.
SECRETARY REPORT: Approved as submitted.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chocolate Festival – Morrison Woods – Scheduled for February 2, 2018. For further information, contact Melissa Bucur; Lunch and Learn Series information regarding registration will be forthcoming.
MEETING ADJOURNED
NEXT MEETING: January 16, 2018 – Bring a guest!