LEESBURG — Jim Thompson, Warsaw, and Lynne Fellows, Warsaw, were totally taken by surprise when named recipients of the 2015 Kosciusko County Republican Hall of Fame Man and Woman of the Year recipients. The awards were presented Thursday evening, Oct. 29, at the annual Hall of Fame dinner. This year’s event was held at Tippecanoe Country Club.

“It is a great honor. I never expected this,” said Thompson, a little emotional at the honor. “She’s good at surprises,” he said about Jean Northenor who presented the awards.

Fellows felt very similar. “I’m totally flabbergasted I want to be of service, but don’t want the fame and fortune, well maybe the fortune,” laughed Fellows.

Shown with the winners of the 2015 Republican Hall of Fame Man and Woman of the Year, Jim Thompson and Lynne Fellows, center, are, from left, Jean Northenor, presenter; Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, guest speaker; and Randy Girod, county Republican Chairman. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Northenor, former county chairwoman and one of the originators of the award, stated both are individuals who are quietly active in the party. “This year, those chosen are the quiet ones …” These two are the quiet ones, you don’t hear anything out of them, they are always there, always willing to work, willing to do anything Randy asks them to do, I’ve seen them at both end of the spectrum, the kind of things out in front, still very quiet … I’ve seen them work the fish fry, I’ve seen them work in the clerk’s office, I’ve seen them carry people to the polls in their cars so they can vote … but they volunteer, they don’t get any pay for it, they just show up and do what ever they are asked to do.

“I don’t know why they haven’t been recognized before. Tonight is their turn. The woman of the year does everything, many, many, many things, I’ve seen her do almost anything as long as it is Republican …” Fellows after receiving the award, she stated she just thought she was coming along. “I’m amazed, I thank you … I feel so honored, I only do what I want to do period. If you ask me to do something I don’t want to do, I’ll make a pretty good excuse … I love to represent Kosciusko County in any way I can and to honor my husband.”

“I see him every Republican function I go to, I see this guy, it surprised me at the beginning … I finally got used to him being at every Republican function there is doing everything … he happens to be, was the best man at Jim’s and my wedding.”

The guest speaker for the evening was Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.

Also making brief presentations were candidates for the 3rd District U.S. Representative Seat: Pam Galloway, Kip Tom and State Senator Jim Banks. A representative from 2nd District U.S. Representative Candidate Jackie Walorski’s office and for U.S. Senate candidates Eric Holcomb and Marlin Stutzman also briefly spoke.

Former attorney general Steve Carter was present who announced he would be seeking the nomination for that position again. He stressed party unity and encouraged Republicans that whomever ends up on the ticket to support that candidate.