Community youth volunteer Terrill Brown, center, was chosen for his volunteer work with North Webster youth baseball and CASA. He is shown with North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce Vice President Amanda Meerzo, left, and President Jim Smith.

NORTH WEBSTER — With a St. Patrick’s Day theme and a full house, North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner had a fine start. It was held at chamber member The Sleepy Owl’s new event center, The Owl’s Nest in North Webster, Monday, March 12. It was the first time in the facility for many attending.

The big winners of the evening were Person of the Year Terrill Brown, Large Business of the Year Pro Wake Watersports, and Small Business of the Year Sock’s Marina. The honorees were among several nominated by the public and chosen by the chamber board of directors.

Brown was truly surprised with his honor. Chamber President Jim Smith noted, “He has been known in North Webster as Mr. Little League for decades. He has coached, he has groomed the field, and he has given one on one instruction to players.”

Brown is retired from teaching elementary school for 39 years and he has a job at North Webster Ace Hardware. He still finds time to volunteer with CASA and his church. He is known as someone who gives his absolute best.

Pro Wake Watersports is located just south of North Webster on SR 13. The company sells new and pre-owned ski and wakeboats, as well as pontoons. Also available are a selection of boating accessories and parts. “The company is very deserving of the honor of being chosen Large Business of the Year,” said Smith.

Besides sales, Pro Wake does service, storage, canvas work and detailing. It is a proud member of the North Webster community and always ready to lend a helping hand to many local projects and events.

Sock’s Marina has been a staple on the east side of Webster Lake for many years. A family own and run company, it is a full service marina. In 2017, owner Dino Coverstone approached the chamber about tying in a three-day boat show with the chamber’s premier event, the Dixie Day Festival. Through hard work and dedication, the boat show was a success and will be back for three days in 2018 including Dixie Day Saturday, July 28.

Smith noted, “Sock’s Marina and the Coverstone family is always ready and willing to assist those in the North Webster community.”

A silent auction with an ample selection of items to bid on was a hit with those attending. They were donated by local businesses who are chamber members. A social hour preceded the buffet dinner.

Byron Kaiser, lead pastor of North Webster United Methodist Church, gave the invocation.