Splash Park duo shares Citizen of Year honor

Sunday, January 25, 2015
Chamber President Beth Flint (left) presents Emily Knuth and Executive DirectorTammy Johnson (right) presents Suzanne Masten with their respective Citizen of the Year awards Saturday at the Chamber Annual Dinner. (Photo by JARED JERNAGAN)

When the Greencastle Civic League set out to make a big splash with another forward-looking community improvement project, it turned to two highly organized and motivated women to assure its success.

Three years later, the Bob York Memorial Splash Park not only is a reality at Robe-Ann Park but the two women who shepherded its progress through planning, fundraising and construction are the 2014 Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year.

Emily Knuth and Suzanne Masten, who co-chaired the splash park project that culminated in last August's opening, were named Citizens of the Year Saturday night as the highlight of the Chamber's Annual Dinner at the DePauw University Tennis and Track

Tearing up as they recall three years of work, 2014 Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year Suzanne Masten (left) and Emily Knuth realize they are being recognized for bringing to reality the Bob York Memorial Splash Park at Robe-Ann Park. (Photo by JARED JERNAGAN)

Center.

Seemingly joined at the hip in soldiering through numerous planning sessions and grant meetings and glad-handing, Knuth and Masten not only co-chaired the project but served a term as Civic League president in the process.

And as they put heart and soul into the project to see it through from conception to reality, each woman also gave birth during the same timeframe -- a fact not lost on new Chamber President Beth Flint, who presented their awards.

"They each even had a baby during the time they were working on this project," she reminded the Annual Dinner audience.

"These two people worked tirelessly for three years to bring this wonderful addition to our community," Flint added. "And thanks to all their hard work, we'll all be able to enjoy the splash park for years to come."

Knuth said the splash park project fit well because it "hit so many facets" of the community.

"It was a quality-of-life project, an economic development project and a place for kids to go and have fun," she said.

In saying she shares the honor with the membership of the Greencastle Civic League, Masten said she was "very honored, humbled and appreciative."

"We're most appreciative for the project of the splash park to be honored in this way," she added, proudly noting that both winners' children saw the dedication and volunteer work that went into the project, and hopefully that sets an example for them to carry on in the future.

The selection of Knuth and Masten marks just the second time since the Chamber's Citizen of the Year award was instituted in 1982 that multiple winners were selected.

Coincidentally, the other time was as a result of the previous Civic League community project, the creation of the Emerald Palace.

That project earned the triumvirate of Lynn Wilson, Denise Sigworth and Rachel Seipel joint Citizen of the Year honors in 2001.

The evening's other major award, 2014 Chamber Director of the Year, was presented to Michael Clampitt of North Salem State Bank by out-going President Bret Hurley.

Also honored were the retiring directors, Rick Alexander of Walmart Distribution, Scott Herrick of Bittles and Hurt/Hopkins-Rector funeral homes, Curt Krominaker of Pershing and Co., Richard Burger of Duke Energy, Jackie Hopkins of Moore's Bar and Phyllis Rokicki of the City of Greencastle,

New incoming Chamber directors are Heather Taylor of State Farm Insurance, Adam Becker of the Game Warehouse, Dr. Nick Woodall of Dr. Daryl Hodges Optometry, Paul Jedele of McDonald's and Jedele Enterprises, Beau Battin of Scorpion Protective Coatings, Kelly Nees Perkins of Walmart Distribution and Tyler Wade of the City of Greencastle.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: