A rock of the
community is this year’s Duneland Distinguished Woman: Shirley Peffers.
Peffers was honored
on Wednesday at the Duneland Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards luncheon at
Sand Creek Country Club.
Presenting the
award to Peffers was last year’s Duneland Distinguished Woman, Bonnie
Gaston.
“Each year this
award is given to a woman in the Duneland community who consistently
displays leadership qualities and is that special lady,” Gaston said. And
Peffers certainly fits the bill.
“She has been a
past president of Tri Kappa, Woman’s Club, and United Methodist Women,”
Gaston noted. “She has been a Volunteer of the Year for the Chamber and a
Reality Store volunteer. She organized the Chesterton Methodist Cookie Walk
with her daughters that has been going on for 25 years. And she helped to
organize and continues to cook for Jacob’s Table at the Methodist Church.
She serves on the Westchester Neighbors Food Pantry and for the last 30
years on Friday she is at St. John’s Church at 5 a.m. preparing for Meals on
Wheels to be distributed to the community.”
“Shirley is always
there when she is needed,” Gaston added. “She has raised four children, has
11 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. And in her spare time she
still manages to play in her church’s guitar choir, do Bible study and be a
Circle leader, and I think she may play bridge once in a while. But the best
part for me in knowing this fine lady is that she reminds me of my mother: a
dedicated, dependable worker.”
Peffers herself
expressed “shock” at being honored, and thanked her daughter and grandchild
for attending the luncheon. “It’s been a pleasure to serve this community
and I hope I can continue serving for a long time to come.”
Golden Achievement
Award
Also honored by the
Chamber on Wednesday, with the Golden Achievement Award: Janet Ryan.
Presenting the
award was Katie Rizer, executive director of the Coffee Creek Watershed
Conservancy. “Janet has served as an executive member of the Coffee Creek
Watershed Conservancy for the better part of 20 years,” Rizer said, “and has
worked with the local developer and other leaders in preservation to
maintain and enhance the restoration of Coffee Creek. Janet is committed to
the environmental integrity and preservation of the greater Duneland
community. As a member of the Northwest Indiana Steelheaders Executive
Board, she’s been involved in all aspects of fishing tournaments,
restoration to improve habitat, and conservation.”
Ryan has also
already been named a Hero of Conservation as president of the Indiana
Wildlife Federation, Rizer noted, and “as a retired accountant has shared
her lifetime of acquired talents by leading the Coffee Creek Watershed
Conservancy through budgeting and long-term fiscal management.”
“I just want to
thank you for this award,” Ryan said. “And especially my board and the four
members of staff. If you have not yet experienced it, please come out to see
the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve. It’s there for you.”