While every individual award is significant, there was one that received a standing ovation from every person. With an overwhelming amount of votes, the late Kim Conrad was named the Syracuse Woman of the Year. She was a retired teacher, successful realtor, a doting mother, a caring wife and so much more that made a prominent figure within the community. With teary eyes, everyone watched as the Conrad family accepted the award in her honor. Pictured are Michael, Katie and Steve Conrad. (Photos by Elisa Walker)

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce 2017 Annual Awards Banquet took place at the Oakwood Resort Community Center Tuesday, Jan. 24. The banquet honored and recognized many outstanding individuals and businesses within the community, awarding those who went above and beyond their duties to assist the community with funding projects, creating jobs or providing astounding leadership. A new feature for this year’s awards banquet was the digital bidding option for those who wished to participate in the silent auction. The funds raised in the silent auction will go to scholarships and local projects that will continue to shape the community positively.

Executive Director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Andrea Keller was the speaker for the 2017 awards banquet. She wrapped up a successful evening with kind words of excitement for the upcoming year.

The New Business of the Year award was sponsored by Crossroads Bank and awarded to Tippy Creek Winery, a unique business for the community. The Restaurant of the Year award was sponsored by The Papers Inc. and was awarded to Chubbies Pub and Grub. The Service Excellence Award was sponsored by MutualBank and was awarded to Polywood, which uses recyclable plastic as a wood alternative for furniture. The Retailer of the Year award was sponsored by Lake City Bank and awarded to Bliss Boutique, which is run by three women who work to help others as best as they can.

The Non-Profit of the Year award was sponsored by Team Tuttle Mortgage LLC., and was awarded to Women of Today for exceptional service. The Young Professional of the Year award was sponsored by Horizon Bank and awarded to Scott Beasley, an outstanding young professional in the community who displays great determination. The Outstanding Educator award was sponsored by Lakeland Animal Clinic and award to Kim Nguyen from Wawasee High School. The Syracuse Man of the Year award was sponsored by Owen Family Funeral Home and was awarded to Eric Leffler for outstanding involvement within the community.

The Syracuse Woman of the Year award was sponsored by Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware and given to the late Kim Conrad, a name that the community will never forget and remembers fondly. The award was given in honor of her memory and received by her family. The Most Uniquely Syracuse Award was sponsored by Northern Lakes Insurance and awarded to John Stump who is part of a longtime business of Syracuse and who continues to make Syracuse what it is today. The Ambassador of the Year award was sponsored by Parker Hannifin and awarded to Eric Erlenwein, who has gone above and beyond in attending chamber meetings and events.

Speaker for the evening was Executive Director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Andrea Keller who wrapped up a successful evening with kind words of excitement for the upcoming year.

Eleven awards were presented to outstanding local businesses and individuals during the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce awards banquet. Pictured are the award winners and award sponsors.
In front, from left, are Lori and Lindsey Richcreek, Tippy Creek Winery, New Business of the Year; Karla Walker and Cindy Hagan, Chubbies Pub and Grub, Restaurant of the Year; Jenna Akers, Heather Kitson and Kelly Wedehase, Bliss Boutique, Retailer of the Year; Holly Tuttle, Women of Today, Non-Profit of the Year; Tricia Small, Teghtmeyer Ace Hardware, sponsor of Syracuse-Woman of the Year.
In second row are Jeanetta Slabaugh, Crossroads Bank, sponsor of New Business of the Year; Daniel Richcreek, Tippy Creek Winery, New Business of the Year; Brady Maller, Polywood, Service Excellence; Ron Baumgartner, The Papers Inc., sponser of Restaurant of the Year; Andrea Keller, Executive Director of Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce; Kim Nguyen, Wawasee High School, Outstanding Educator; Jeri Yoder, Lake City Bank, sponsor of Retailer of the Year; Steve and Katie Conrad, Syracuse-Woman of the Year; John Stump, Main Channel Marina, Most Uniquely Syracuse; Sylvia Gargett, Northern Lakes Insurance, sponsor of Most Uniquely Syracuse.
In third row are Tony Pagliari, Parker Hannifin, sponsor of Service Excellence; Eric Erlenwein, Interra Credit Union, Ambassador of the Year; Heath Simcoy, MutualBank, sponsor of Service Excellence of the Year; Ryan Zimmerman, Polywood, Service Excellence; Scott Beasley, Northern Lakes Insurance, Young Professional of the Year; Dr. Richard Brungardt, Lakeland Animal Clinic, sponsor of Outstanding Educator; Eric Leffler, Dynamic Spine and Rehabilitation, Syracuse-Man of the Year; Richard Owen, Owen Family Funeral Home, sponsor of Syracuse-Man of the Year; Tom Tuttle, Team Tuttle Mortgage, LLC., sponsor of Non-Profit of the Year; Michael Conrad, Syracuse-Woman of the Year.