The North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce board members gathered together following the 2021 banquet. Pictured in the first row from left, are Susan Stump, The Papers, Inc.; Paula Miller, Paula Miller Farm; Scott Kuhn, Tangibles Resale; Karilyn Metcalf, Dixie Sternwheeler, Inc.; Brenda Peterson, Lake City Bank; and Mindy Scaggs, chamber president and RE/MAX Lakes. In the second row are Sue Ward, Sue’s Creations Floral and Gifts; Linda Land, Lake-Land Cottages; Kim Bolt, chamber treasurer and Crossroads Bank; Tammy Waliczek, chamber secretary, Dixie Haven Resort and Fisherman Cove Resort; and Jerry Parsons, Webster Lake Conservation Association.

By Nicholette Carlson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — At the annual North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce banquet Monday evening, April 19, Phil Metcalf was awarded the Person of the Year award. In the speech by Mindy Scaggs, chamber president, she mentioned one of Metcalf’s favorite quotes about how “if you’re a part of something special, you become something special.”

The Small Business of the Year award was given to Scott Kuhn, owner of Tangibles Resale.

Chris Zaugg with Bourbon Street Pizza was awarded Large Business of the Year.

Banquet guests were able to peruse a wide range of silent auction items prior to dinner. Attendees then took a moment to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and Jerry Parsons led everyone in an invocation before dinner.

Following dinner, Scaggs introduced the board members and thanked Susan Stump for her hard work in planning the banquet. She discussed the difficulties faced last year and how, while many events had to, unfortunately, be cancelled, the chamber came together to make the Christmas Tree Lighting a success with over 4,500 views for the virtual event.

Last year the chamber had big plans for 2020 and they are working to get back to that this year. This includes holding Business After Hours events again once a month for local business owners to show off their business and network with the community.

After a few updates, Scaggs informed everyone that she had planned an elevator speech in which she would be handing the microphone to each chamber member and allow them to speak about their business. “There’s no one better to sell your business than you,” she emphasized.

After each member spoke, Scaggs mentioned how impressed she was that she not only heard about local businesses, but how everyone voiced a real passion for the North Webster community. She then informed everyone of the new chamber Main Street Committee group that is working to beautify North Webster and make it a destination location. The first event of the committee will be a clean up day on May 15.

Sue Ward took a few minutes to mention the new free, income-based clinic in North Webster. This North Webster clinic is the only free clinic in Kosciusko County. The Ronald McDonald bus will also be scheduled to make rounds to town.

After large and small businesses of the year and person of the year winners were announced, Scaggs and Stump then announced the winners of the silent auction items. Linda Land won the raffle.