By ALEXANDRA NEWMAN

The Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce presented Community Awards Wednesday at its annual State of the Chamber and Community Awards Luncheon at Westchester Public Library Service Center.

Humanitarian of the Year

Meg McCarel, a special education teacher with the Duneland School System, was named Humanitarian of the Year.

McCarel, was presented the award by Tricia Howe, who nominated her for the award and Howe’s son Skyler Perrine, a student of McCarel’s for over four years at Liberty Elementary School.

Fighting back tears, Howe said when she was faced with the realization that Skyler would be transitioning to Westchester Intermediate School, she wrote a letter to Superintendent Dr. Dirk Baer and Liberty Principal Susan Cartright “for having such a wonderful teacher on staff and to let them and Meg know what a difference she has made and how much she means to us.”

“You cannot put a price tag on the difference she has made in my son’s life. She believed in my son. She took the time to offer him that extra help, that extra push that he needed. She saw the extraordinary potential in Skyler that I did and for that I am forever indebted.

“Because of Meg, my son enjoys school. When asked how his first day at summer school went this week, he said, “Great ... It was the Best!”

“I’m proud to have my son enrolled in Duneland Schools and I’m especially proud that Meg McCarel cared enough to go the extra mile with my son’s education,” she said.

Volunteer of the Year

Chamber Executive Director Bonnie Trout presented the Volunteer of the Year award to a group of men and women, members of CHIP, Chesterton Hometown Improvement Project, who have made a dramatic improvement to the environment of the Town of Chesterton.

Trout said a couple of years ago Eric Kroeger said he would be interested in being in what was then called the Main Street project. The name was changed to CHIP and he recruited the help of people like him who have the desire to improve our community.

Trout lauded Kroeger for getting permission and funding from Porter (Health Services) to sponsor the replacement of a fence that runs along their ambulance service on Porter Ave. so it would match the one on the opposite side of Porter Ave. installed by Horizon Bank.

“The second change he accomplished was to have Lamar advertising replace three existing billboards that were in bad repair with new smaller lighted signs and also throw-in some extra money for landscaping,” Trout continued.

“CHIP has painted the Bandstand in Thomas Park, added landscaping along Porter Ave. and Indian Boundary Rd. and at the Town Hall, added banners along Indian Boundary and Calumet Rds., obtained four “Welcome to Chesterton” signs sponsored by the Rotary Club ... and the list goes on,” she said.

CHIP participants being recognized included Jim Perkins, who planned the landscaping projects, Lauren Kroeger, who obtained a Beautification Lease from the railroad that allowed the landscaping along Indian Boundary Rd., Laura Pannekoek and Charla Norgaard, who gathered numerous volunteers and coordinated many of the projects, Lauren Kroeger and Mary Grassel who got permission to change the fence and Kelly Randazzo, who selected the fountain in Thomas Park.

Jim Perkins and Eric Kroeger accepted the award for the group.

Business Renovation

Janice Custer, a member of the Duneland School Board, presented the Business Renovation award to the Duneland School Corporation for the transformation of its administrative offices into the east wing of Chesterton Middle School.

Superintendent Dr. Dirk Baer accepted the award on behalf of the Duneland Schools.

The wing contains an Administration Center/Business Office. The remodeled facility houses the office of the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendents, Business office, office of the Director of Special Services and support staff. In addition there is a school board meeting room, several conference rooms and a professional development room which is used as a meeting/training room for school personnel throughout the county.

“The entrance of the new Administration Center is defined by beautiful landscaping and an inviting brick-pillard canopy. Visitors entering the building will find a large reception area that is softened by the use of wood, earth tones and school colors. The bricked floor pattern and large semi-circular reception desk draws visitors to the center of the room while the use of large murals, photographic collages, and foliage completes the decor of this beautiful new facility,” she said.

New construction

Jim Fitzer presented the award for New Construction to Robert Gosvener, manager of Chesterton’s McDonald’s restaurant. While a photo of the new facility was projected on the wall, Fitzer described the building as a Chicago region style-building with a forever young design. The construction from start to finish was completed in only 115 days.

Inside the facility there are three zones. The Fast Zone with higher seating and grab and go drink area, the Lingering Zone for those who want a quiet area and sit by the double sided fireplace and the Social Zone for the regulars who gather with their friends who can sit at a choice of two eight person sitting areas. There are five flat screen TVs to view and seating to accommodate 105 people.

The restaurant is more ADA accessible with wider doors, raised ramps and lowered counters. There are dual drive through lanes to accommodate more people in a faster manner and additional bus and RV parking.

Posted 7/27/2006