TERRE HAUTE — Downtown Terre Haute Inc. offered up reasons to celebrate as four area projects and one man were honored Thursday evening.
The organization hosted its “A Night to Remember” Heritage Awards banquet in The Ohio Building, featuring awards by the Design, Promotions and Economic Restructuring committees of Downtown Terre Haute as well as Volunteer of the Year.
Surrounded by friends and family, Downtown Terre Haute’s “Clabber Guy” was honored for his volunteerism, as Roy Dressler of Thompson-Thrift was named Volunteer of the Year.
Friends from Clabber Girl produced large posters with Dressler’s picture and the word “Clabber Guy” printed across.
Andrew Conner, executive director of Downtown Terre Haute Inc., said Dressler, who is also chairman of the organization’s board, is “universally loved and respected.”
“And he’s my boss,” Conner joked, but noted more seriously that one of the projects spearheaded by Dressler was the Terre Haute Street Fair, which drew more than 10,000 people.
“Roy’s efforts in leading the Street Fair went far in helping Downtown Terre Haute financially,” Conner said.
Dressler laughed off the praise, joking, “Well with that, there goes the speech,” and offering any credit for his achievements back to friends, family and his employer, Thompson-Thrift.
“I’ve led a pretty fortunate life,” he said, noting that he has the kind of friends that when he calls up to say “I need help moving 200 picnic tables,” they come and do it.
“Without my parents laying the groundwork, and without my friends to help us out, and without an employer that allows me to do it, I would not be up here accepting this award,” Dressler said.
Brad Emmert of Timberland Lumber Co. and The Emmert Group, and one of the friends referred to in Dressler’s speech, noted that a lot of hard work went into earning the award.
“Roy’s spent many, many hours doing a fine job for Downtown Terre Haute,” Emmert said. “Roy deserves the award. He’s done a great job.”
Todd Nation of Book Nation, and president of the Terre Haute City Council, presented awards on behalf of Downtown Terre Haute’s Design Committee to the Cherry Street Multi-Modal Transportation Facility, as well as St. Benedict’s Church.
Nation explained that each year the committee hands out two awards, one to a private sector group and one to a public sector organization.
Work on the transportation facility has been an ongoing project, he said, noting that it began under former Mayor Pete Chalos.
“It takes a long time to get these projects founded and built,” he said, adding that the facility will be completely open in a few weeks.
Recent work at St. Benedict’s Church garnered its award, with Nation describing a picture of it as “one of the most arresting photographs in Terre Haute.”
The 140-year-old church has a storied history, surviving a fire in 1930 which rendered it nothing but a shell, he said.
“They have a very dedicated group of caretakers,” he said.
Veronica Dougherty, executive director of Junior Achievement of the Wabash Valley, presented The Sheldon Swope Art Museum with the Promotions Committee award for its “Horsing Around in Terre Haute Exhibit.”
“The Swope is one of the foundations on which our downtown is built,” she said.
Craig McKee, master of ceremonies for the event, recalled how as a boy from Rockville, coming to Terre Haute was a big deal in the 1960s.
McKee recalled a variety of stores and businesses no longer in existence, and asked, “one wonders what a 7-year-old today will remember about Terre Haute 43 years from now?”
Brian Boyce can be reached at (812) 231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
• Volunteer of the Year — Roy Dressler, Thompson-Thrift
• Design Award — Cherry Street Multi-Modal Transportation Facility and St. Benedict’s Church
• Promotions Award — Sheldon Swope Art Museum
• Economic Restructuring — The Hilton Garden Inn
• For more information, call Andrew Conner at (812) 237-2581 or visit www.downtownterrehaute.org.
Local & Bistate
Heritage Awards ‘a night to remember’
Organization names Terre Haute’s volunteer of the year
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Packing the hall
If you didn’t come early, the seats were hard to find.
-
Alternative-fuel project has Rose, ISU students all charged up
The future of Earth’s auto industry is intertwined with the career prospects of local university students, and a world-class team shined with green energy Sunday.
-
Montford Point Marine
In 1943, 19-year-old Ezell Odom was on the sandy beach of a tiny South Pacific island about 7,000 miles from his parent’s home in Terre Haute.
-
K-9 officer Shadow honored as a hero
A Terre Haute K-9 officer injured in the line of duty has been honored as a hero by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.
-
Freezin’ for a Reason
Hundreds lined up outside Hulman Center amid frigid air to participate in a warm-hearted cause.
-
Even as law, right-to-work dominates crackerbarrel
The flames of the right-to-work debate were gone, but the coals still seemed to smolder.
-
Vigo School Board to give OK on bonds for DeVaney project
The Vigo County School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the administration building, 686 Wabash Ave.
-
Bridging the gap to ‘forever’
They can be taken from their homes by strangers for reasons they may not understand, with no possessions other than the clothes they are wearing.
-
Students showcase keen problem-solving skills at Rose-Hulman
For the 16th straight year, Honey Creek Middle School students came out on top in the Wabash Valley MATHCOUNTS competition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
Ivy Tech to celebrate Black History Month
Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events at its campuses statewide.
-
Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies
Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
-
Giant welcome home for Steve
Terre Haute was suddenly home to thousands of cheering New York Giants fans Friday as residents welcomed Super Bowl champion Steve Weatherford back home for a parade.
-
‘One for Terre Haute,’ Steve tells crowd at North
“This one was for Terre Haute,” native son Steve Weatherford proclaimed Friday as he shared his Super Bowl victory with the community that helped send him on the path to a world championship.
-
Hometown support vital to success, Weatherford says
Steve Weatherford said Friday he wouldn’t be celebrating a Giants’ Super Bowl victory if not for the support he’s received from his hometown, his parents and mentors in his life.
-
Craning for a rare glimpse
A visitor from the Far East has naturalists flying to Linton, hoping some good comes from one bird’s bad directions.
-
Vigo’s primary election filings complete
The slate is set for the May 8 primary election, with the race for three at-large seats on the Vigo County Council drawing the largest pool of candidates at the county level.
-
Documentary on electric vehicles plays Sunday at Rose
The rising popularity of electric vehicles and their impact on the world eco-system is the focus of a documentary, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” being presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Hatfield Hall Theater.
-
Man gets 10-year sentence in battery case
A West Terre Haute man received a 10-year prison sentence Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for beating a friend caught in bed with the man’s wife.
-
Asian hooded crane lands in Greene County wildlife area
Bird watchers are flocking to a southwestern Indiana wildlife area to try to catch a glimpse of a crane usually spotted only in Asia.
-
Slow drips: It’s maple syrup season in Indiana
More seasonal, colder temperatures will hit the Wabash Valley this weekend, which is ideal weather for maple syrup production, said Keith Ruble, superintendent of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.
However, Ruble voices concern that this year’s maple syrup season may be short.
-
Downtown restaurant celebrates expansion
The streets of Terre Haute were chilly Thursday night, but for the glow of hot pasta inside Louise’s Pizzeria and Cafe.
-
Contract signed for new Y
Papers are signed and the ink is in place for a new YMCA to operate in Terre Haute.
-
City to impose $30 release fee on towed vehicles
The Terre Haute City Council voted without opposition Thursday to impose a new $30 release fee on vehicles towed and impounded by the police as part of a criminal investigation.
-
Valley educators cautious on Indiana’s ‘No Child’ waiver
Indiana is one of 10 states to receive a waiver from federal No Child Left Behind requirements.
-
Driver dies after Illinois school bus crash
“Brace yourself. Brace yourself,” Fay Pickering shouted to her students just before the school bus she was driving crossed U.S. 40 and landed in a ditch Thursday morning.
-
Trial date set for former WTH police chief
A July 23 trial date has been set for a former police chief of West Terre Haute accused of theft.
-
Motorcycle gang member pleads guilty in federal court
A member of an Indianapolis motorcycle gang who delivered methamphetamine to a Terre Haute dealer has pleaded guilty to drug charges in federal court.
-
July trial date set for mother charged with child neglect
A July 30 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute mother charged with neglecting and battering her toddler.
-
Business hosting SPPRAK fundraiser
Java Haute is hosting the latest fundraiser sponsored by SPPRAK — Special People Performing Random Acts of Kindness.
-
Valley high school cooking competition under way today
Clabber Girl Corp. and Gordon Food Services will host the fourth-annual High School Chef Competition, beginning today through Saturday, and again Feb. 18, in the Culinary Classroom at Clabber Girl.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Snow Strands Italian Towns
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Stocks Fall Sharply As Greek Deal Is Held Up
Today in History for Tuesday, February 12th
Exclusive Video: Bobbi Kristina Leaving Hospital
2012 Grammys: Rihanna
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
2012 Grammys: Taylor Swift
Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag
FUEL TV: Punk Payback Gym tips
Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Lusetich: AT&T Rd. 3 recap
Peek inside Barbie's closet
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
Madonna's Daughter Shaves Head
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Absolute Lin-sanity
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood
Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus
Funeral to be held for Powell boys
