May 15, 2023 at 7:34 p.m.
Never too old
93-year-old Bryant honored with ‘Spirit’ award, Muhlenkamps were named Citizens of the Year
Never too old
By Bailey Cline-
You’re never too old to be recognized for your achievements.
Longtime Portland resident Glen Bryant, 93, was honored Saturday with The Spirit of Vicki Lifetime Achievement Award during the Jay County Community Awards at Spoke and Wheel Event Center.
Troy and Krista Muhlenkamp were named Citizens of the Year. Also, Truth Builders Jay County became the first to win the new award, Community Group of the Year.
Some fresh and familiar faces joined the list of honorees at the ceremony sponsored by Jay County Chamber of Commerce. Other award winners included:
•Business of the Year — Brigade Electronics
•Industry of the Year — FCC Indiana
•Not for Profit of the Year — Jay County Special Olympics
•Young Professional of the Year — Travis Richards
•Dunkirk Community Commitment — Rock and Kathy Fuqua
•Small Community Commitment — Leroy Brown
•Innovator of the Year — Good-Rich Brewery
An Army veteran, Bryant coached Portland High School’s basketball and football teams starting in the late 1950s. He served as a teacher and later guidance counselor up until his retirement in 1989. He also owned and operated Bryant and Sons Masonry for 50 years.
His 60 years of volunteer work stretched across Lion’s Club, Masonic Lodge and Portland American Legion Post 211, as well as his membership to the Museum of the Soldier and Jay County Historical Society. Bryant also served as a member of Portland City Council and Portland Park Board.
“Believe me, if you know Mr. Bryant, you love him,” said Tami Vormohr, who presented Bryant with the award. “Glen Bryant is a true hometown hero who has committed his life to his family, his country and our Jay County community.”
The crowd gave Bryant a standing ovation as he walked onto the stage. He started with a joke.
“I’m in awe,” said Bryant, noting the Wheel and Spoke Antique Mall next to the event center. “Right next door, there’s a lot of antiques. But now we’ve got one over here.”
“The good Lord has blessed me so much, and I think, every day, the Lord has paid attention in our community and us, so surprised at such a great turnout,” he continued.
Troy and Krista Muhlenkamp were voted Citizens of the Year for creating the Jay County Hometown Heroes project, an effort to display banners honoring local veterans in the community. In memory of their late teenage son, the Muhlenkamps have been investing in the community with Jake’s Little Patriot Fund. They also launched the Jake David fashion line at Sunshine Boutique, Krista’s business in Fort Recovery.
“Citizen of the year usually comes with a lot of people that are backing this,” said Krista, who named Kyle Teeter of Display Craft and members of Main Street Connect. “We couldn’t do all of that without them. It’s amazing the friendships that are gained sometimes when one small idea becomes something pretty cool.”
Truth Builders Jay County took home the Community Group of the Year award. (Tabby Sprunger, director of Jay County Chamber of Commerce, explained the award was created this year to honor groups that may not fit into other categories.) The non-denominational Bible education program for local students began teaching bible classes for sixth graders in September. To date, 107 students participate in the program.
“The whole goal is just to teach these kids about the truth of God’s word and the love that he extends to us through his son, Jesus Christ,” said Doug Johnson of Truth Builders. “So with the cooperation of Jay School Corporation, support from more than a dozen churches, financial gifts from various organizations and individuals, and a sustaining power of the Lord, Truth Builders will continue to be propelled forward to the future.”
Brigade Electronics was named Business of the Year. It offers safety equipment and products for commercial vehicles and job sites. The company’s sales in 2022 surpassed $18 million dollars, bringing the United States subsidiary to second place next to its parent company in the United Kingdom. Corey Heniser, now CEO, brought the business’ American headquarters to Portland in 2012.
FCC Indiana added to its list of community awards, having been selected as Industry of the Year in 2015 and ’17 prior to this year. FCC Indiana — its Portland site was established in 1988 — has employed as many as 800 people at one time, making it the largest manufacturing employer in Jay County. It produces clutch and automotive transmission components. The industry sponsors children’s sports teams and charities, joins in manufacturing activities with local schools and actively participates in local board and council meetings.
Good-Rich Brewery received the Innovator of the Year award in recognition of its activities, including trivia nights and hosting events for local organizations. The family-owned business lost its founder, John B. Goodrich, in July 2022.
“It’s been a tough year for my family, for the Goodrich family, but it’s a good legacy for my father,” said Emily Goodrich.
Jay County Special Olympics secured the award for not-for-profits. The organization for those with intellectual disabilities offers sports, health, education and leadership programs. Its basketball team also took home a gold medal at the Special Olympics Indiana tournament this year.
Rock and Kathy Fuqua earned the Dunkirk Community Commitment award, marking the second time they have received the award since 2015. (The Fuquas were also the 2018 lifetime achievement award winners.) Their investments in downtown Dunkirk were recognized Saturday, along with the sale of their car dealership.
Leroy Brown, owner of Redkey Blacksmiths and Valhalla Axe Hall, won the Small Community Commitment award for his efforts in starting unique businesses in the area. Brown also spearheaded Karate is Cure, a nonprofit organization funding martial arts classes and fees for underprivileged youth.
Travis Richards was voted Young Professional of the Year for his work with Jay County communities. Richards, who has served as executive director of Jay County Development Corporation since 2018, has been a part of various efforts, including the Launch Jay! pitch competition and the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) for helping Jay County officials plan how to spend American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
Other finalists were Dale Ainsworth, Eric Rogers and Jack Ronald for lifetime achievement; Debi Gillespie and Mike Weitzel for citizen of the year; Jay County 4-H Council, Jay County Baseball Club and Kids Purpose Project for community group of the year; Key Diner, Living in JOY and Sculpt Fitness for business of the year; Joyce/Dayton Corporation and Priority Plastics for industry of the year; Jay County Fair Association and Portland Lions Club for not-for-profit of the year; Aaron Loy and Cassie Alexander for young professional of the year; Duane Marcum, Tim Ritchey and Kenci Grayson for Dunkirk Community Commitment and Donna Skinner, Dottie Quakenbush and Tom and Crystal Laux for small community commitment; and Gary and Angie Clark, Jack, the school resource dog for Jay School Corporation with school resource officer Cody Jessee and Leroy Brown for innovator of the year.
Longtime Portland resident Glen Bryant, 93, was honored Saturday with The Spirit of Vicki Lifetime Achievement Award during the Jay County Community Awards at Spoke and Wheel Event Center.
Troy and Krista Muhlenkamp were named Citizens of the Year. Also, Truth Builders Jay County became the first to win the new award, Community Group of the Year.
Some fresh and familiar faces joined the list of honorees at the ceremony sponsored by Jay County Chamber of Commerce. Other award winners included:
•Business of the Year — Brigade Electronics
•Industry of the Year — FCC Indiana
•Not for Profit of the Year — Jay County Special Olympics
•Young Professional of the Year — Travis Richards
•Dunkirk Community Commitment — Rock and Kathy Fuqua
•Small Community Commitment — Leroy Brown
•Innovator of the Year — Good-Rich Brewery
An Army veteran, Bryant coached Portland High School’s basketball and football teams starting in the late 1950s. He served as a teacher and later guidance counselor up until his retirement in 1989. He also owned and operated Bryant and Sons Masonry for 50 years.
His 60 years of volunteer work stretched across Lion’s Club, Masonic Lodge and Portland American Legion Post 211, as well as his membership to the Museum of the Soldier and Jay County Historical Society. Bryant also served as a member of Portland City Council and Portland Park Board.
“Believe me, if you know Mr. Bryant, you love him,” said Tami Vormohr, who presented Bryant with the award. “Glen Bryant is a true hometown hero who has committed his life to his family, his country and our Jay County community.”
The crowd gave Bryant a standing ovation as he walked onto the stage. He started with a joke.
“I’m in awe,” said Bryant, noting the Wheel and Spoke Antique Mall next to the event center. “Right next door, there’s a lot of antiques. But now we’ve got one over here.”
“The good Lord has blessed me so much, and I think, every day, the Lord has paid attention in our community and us, so surprised at such a great turnout,” he continued.
Troy and Krista Muhlenkamp were voted Citizens of the Year for creating the Jay County Hometown Heroes project, an effort to display banners honoring local veterans in the community. In memory of their late teenage son, the Muhlenkamps have been investing in the community with Jake’s Little Patriot Fund. They also launched the Jake David fashion line at Sunshine Boutique, Krista’s business in Fort Recovery.
“Citizen of the year usually comes with a lot of people that are backing this,” said Krista, who named Kyle Teeter of Display Craft and members of Main Street Connect. “We couldn’t do all of that without them. It’s amazing the friendships that are gained sometimes when one small idea becomes something pretty cool.”
Truth Builders Jay County took home the Community Group of the Year award. (Tabby Sprunger, director of Jay County Chamber of Commerce, explained the award was created this year to honor groups that may not fit into other categories.) The non-denominational Bible education program for local students began teaching bible classes for sixth graders in September. To date, 107 students participate in the program.
“The whole goal is just to teach these kids about the truth of God’s word and the love that he extends to us through his son, Jesus Christ,” said Doug Johnson of Truth Builders. “So with the cooperation of Jay School Corporation, support from more than a dozen churches, financial gifts from various organizations and individuals, and a sustaining power of the Lord, Truth Builders will continue to be propelled forward to the future.”
Brigade Electronics was named Business of the Year. It offers safety equipment and products for commercial vehicles and job sites. The company’s sales in 2022 surpassed $18 million dollars, bringing the United States subsidiary to second place next to its parent company in the United Kingdom. Corey Heniser, now CEO, brought the business’ American headquarters to Portland in 2012.
FCC Indiana added to its list of community awards, having been selected as Industry of the Year in 2015 and ’17 prior to this year. FCC Indiana — its Portland site was established in 1988 — has employed as many as 800 people at one time, making it the largest manufacturing employer in Jay County. It produces clutch and automotive transmission components. The industry sponsors children’s sports teams and charities, joins in manufacturing activities with local schools and actively participates in local board and council meetings.
Good-Rich Brewery received the Innovator of the Year award in recognition of its activities, including trivia nights and hosting events for local organizations. The family-owned business lost its founder, John B. Goodrich, in July 2022.
“It’s been a tough year for my family, for the Goodrich family, but it’s a good legacy for my father,” said Emily Goodrich.
Jay County Special Olympics secured the award for not-for-profits. The organization for those with intellectual disabilities offers sports, health, education and leadership programs. Its basketball team also took home a gold medal at the Special Olympics Indiana tournament this year.
Rock and Kathy Fuqua earned the Dunkirk Community Commitment award, marking the second time they have received the award since 2015. (The Fuquas were also the 2018 lifetime achievement award winners.) Their investments in downtown Dunkirk were recognized Saturday, along with the sale of their car dealership.
Leroy Brown, owner of Redkey Blacksmiths and Valhalla Axe Hall, won the Small Community Commitment award for his efforts in starting unique businesses in the area. Brown also spearheaded Karate is Cure, a nonprofit organization funding martial arts classes and fees for underprivileged youth.
Travis Richards was voted Young Professional of the Year for his work with Jay County communities. Richards, who has served as executive director of Jay County Development Corporation since 2018, has been a part of various efforts, including the Launch Jay! pitch competition and the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) for helping Jay County officials plan how to spend American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
Other finalists were Dale Ainsworth, Eric Rogers and Jack Ronald for lifetime achievement; Debi Gillespie and Mike Weitzel for citizen of the year; Jay County 4-H Council, Jay County Baseball Club and Kids Purpose Project for community group of the year; Key Diner, Living in JOY and Sculpt Fitness for business of the year; Joyce/Dayton Corporation and Priority Plastics for industry of the year; Jay County Fair Association and Portland Lions Club for not-for-profit of the year; Aaron Loy and Cassie Alexander for young professional of the year; Duane Marcum, Tim Ritchey and Kenci Grayson for Dunkirk Community Commitment and Donna Skinner, Dottie Quakenbush and Tom and Crystal Laux for small community commitment; and Gary and Angie Clark, Jack, the school resource dog for Jay School Corporation with school resource officer Cody Jessee and Leroy Brown for innovator of the year.
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