The Ripley County Chamber of Commerce honored residents for their upstanding service at their annual awards dinner Thursday night.
The event drew local organizations, an entertainer and a state representative to South Ripley Elementary School.
The 2013 award recipients were as follows:
- 2013 Educator of the Year: Robert Meyer.
- 2013 Business Person of the Year: John Thornton
- 2013 Citizens of the Year: Robert McCreary & Norman Knudson
Citizen of the Year recipients were recognized for their volunteerism and contributions to the repair efforts after the Holton Tornado in March 2012.
“I’m up here being recognized with Norman, but really it is recognizing the hard work of so many other people,” said Robert McCreary, who is also the Holton Christian Church minister. “It is great to see our community come together and seeing people now back in their homes.”
District 67 State Representative Randy Frye (R-Greensburg) was in attendance and applauded the work of the volunteers, emergency personnel and community involvement following the devastating Holton tornado.
“The efforts that they put forth and the massive amount of time and money that was donated, and labor that was donated, was just unbelievable,” exclaimed Frye.
Comedian Dave Dugan of Carmel, Indiana, provided the entertainment for the evening. His blend of customized humor drew laughs from the crowd and involved audience members. Dugan has gained national exposure by appearing on the BOB and Tom Show, HBO and Comedy Central.
