By KEVIN NEVERS

There wouldn’t be a Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce, at least not a meaningful one, without the volunteers who give of their time and talents to make Duneland and its business community a better, more prosperous, place to live and work.

Two of those volunteers were honored on Wednesday at the State of the Chamber and Community Awards Luncheon.

The first recipient of the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year Award was Gerrard Pannekoek, the energy and brains behind a “first of its kind” program at Chesterton High School, in which 60 Honors Economic students, organized into two groups, reviewed the business climate of Duneland and crafted a constellation of economic-development objectives and strategies presented to the Chesterton Town Council at a special meeting this spring.

Executive Director Bonnie Trout noted that the program, which Pannekoek, in conjunction with the Duneland School Corporation, hopes to continue and even expand in the next academic year, forged important new links between the business community and the Duneland School Corporation, gave the students themselves an unprecedented glimpse at the ways and means of municipal government, and gave the Town Council itself a unique look at the priorities of Duneland’s youth.

The second recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award was Linda Ramsey, Horizon Bank branch manager and a Chamber Member at Large, who was recognized for her tireless efforts in promoting Chesterton and her active participation in a variety of organizations and initiatives, among them Partners in Education, Christmas in April, and the Wizard of Oz Festival.

“She is always stepping up to the plate and goes the extra mile,” said Linda Stack. “Her constant involvement in community affairs make it a better place.” Yet Ramsey is also, and first and foremost, devoted to her family and her church, Stack added.

Humanitarian of the Year

Awarded the Humanitarian of the Year Award was Dr. James T. Read, founder of Ark of the Dunes at 135E 1100N, and a “renowned cat lover.” Reed is “relentlessly committed” to his patients and pet owners describe him as “compassionate, a great listener, dedicated, and relentlessly committed,” Tricia Howe said. He is also works regularly with the Independent Cat Society.

Business Renovation

Business Renovation awards were presented to Paul Pallas, owner of George’s Gyros Spot at 325 N. Calumet Road, for transformation and expansion of his original restaurant; Russell Dahl, CEO of Allegius Credit Union at 315 Broadway, for renovation of the old License Bureau; and Karen Parrish for the addition on the Centier Bank branch at 1600 S. Calumet Road.

New Construction

Two New Construction awards were presented, the first to Paul Shinn and Rudy Sutton of Tamarack Plaza office building at the intersection of Rail Road and C.R. 100E; and the second to Lakeshore Surgicare an outpatient surgery center and neighbor of Lakeshore Bone & Joint at 311 Village Pointe in Coffee Creek Center.

Posted 7/27/2007