(Napoleon, IN) — Three Ripley County residents were honored Thursday night for their contributions to the community during the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards dinner.
Carolyn Fisk was named Citizen of the Year, Kris Clark received Educator of the Year honors, and Holly Wehr was recognized as Business Person of the Year. The awards were presented during the Chamber’s Monopoly-themed “Chamberopoly” dinner at St. Maurice Church Hall in Napoleon.
Wehr has helped revitalize downtown Versailles, while Clark teaches at Milan Elementary School. Fisk, who turns 85 next month, continues to occasionally serve as a substitute teacher.
Holly Wehr: Business Person of the Year
Wehr has served as president of Main Street Versailles and as the town’s director of community development. Her efforts include helping create the Versailles Pocket Park and transforming a vacant downtown building into The Tanglewood, a boutique hotel and event venue.
The Tanglewood project began during a 2019 Main Street campaign called “I Wish This Was.” The campaign featured photos of vacant buildings around the Versailles town square and encouraged residents to suggest new uses for them.
At the time, Wehr said, nearly every building on the square was vacant, and no retail businesses remained. One of those properties was the former Masonic lodge, which had most recently housed the Ron Dee Printing Shop.
Wehr thought the property could become a boutique hotel serving visitors to Versailles State Park, local festivals, and the courthouse. She initially hoped someone else would pursue the idea, but within a few months, she decided to buy the buildings herself.
The purchase launched a yearslong restoration project that turned her idea into The Tanglewood.
“It’s pretty cool. I was very surprised.”
— Holly Wehr, Business Person of the Year
Wehr learned of her award about a month before the dinner while hosting an event for the community foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle at The Tanglewood. Chamber Executive Director Brandi Merkel pulled her aside to share the news.
Wehr initially feared something had gone wrong at the event.
“When somebody pulled me to the side at the event, I was thinking, oh, no, what is wrong?” she told WRBI.
Kris Clark: Educator of the Year
Clark, a teacher at Milan Elementary School, said she was surprised and excited to receive the Chamber’s Educator of the Year award. She said her enthusiasm for teaching has never faded.
“I actually love teaching. I think it’s the best profession in the world and I’m glad I have a career and not just a job.”
— Kris Clark, Educator of the Year
Clark teaches eight-year-old students and said no two days in the classroom are ever quite the same. That unpredictability, she said, keeps her motivated.
“I do not get bored because eight year olds are different every year, every day,” Clark said.
She also sees changes in how children learn, particularly because of their exposure to technology. Clark said shorter attention spans mean she must work harder to keep students engaged.
The work can be exhausting, but she said that is part of what makes teaching rewarding.
“I come home exhausted, sleep really good at night and get up for another day because you never know what to expect. Every day is different,” she said.
Carolyn Fisk: Citizen of the Year
Fisk, who turns 85 in November, has touched many lives through her years of service to the community. She continues to occasionally serve as a substitute teacher at South Ripley.
South Ripley Community School Corporation Superintendent Rob Moorhead, who attended Thursday night’s dinner, praised Fisk in comments to WRBI News.
“Carolyn Fisk is one of those special people who makes South Ripley such a wonderful place. She is absolutely beloved by our students, always brings a positive attitude to our schools, and is one of the most loyal Raider fans you will ever meet,” Moorhead said.
“Carolyn truly has a heart for kids, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of the South Ripley family. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition!”
The annual awards dinner also featured entertainment, a silent auction, and activities tied to the Chamberopoly theme.
Founded in 1992, the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce serves 267 member businesses and organizations. Its mission includes attracting, developing, and retaining businesses while improving the quality of life throughout the county.
