By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green celebrated its best Saturday evening – a librarian, physician, sheriff, and a defender of education and voting rights. The city also recognized places that serve up burgers downtown, sell cars, and made sure residents kept reading during COVID.
The awards were handed out at the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce 2022 Annual Meeting and Dinner Awards at the Bowling Green State University Grand Ballroom.
Those honored included Maria Simon, Mark Wasylyshyn, Lee Hakel, Dr. Tom Wojciechowski, Paul Thayer, Wood County District Public Library, Beckett’s Burger Bar and Cathy Newlove Wenig.
The Athena Award was given to Maria Simon – a woman known at the national level as a literacy expert, and known at the local level for doing almost anything to get children to read.
“Maria is an amazing role model to all who are lucky enough to come into her orbit,” wrote one of her nominators.
Simon is a recognized expert, serving on the American Library Association’s Notable Book Committee and recently featured in Publisher’s Weekly for her take on the importance of Read Aloud picture books.
Her national contacts have brought bestselling authors to Bowling Green – authors who would not usually consider a trip to a small town in Northwest Ohio.
“Maria is a community treasure whose creativity in the name of connecting kids to literature and learning is legendary,” her nominator wrote. “From Bunny’s Book Club, to Touch-a-Truck events with giant vehicles, to purchasing STEM kits to take home and explore, to making movies about what our kids’ stuffed animals did overnight at the library, there isn’t anything Maria won’t try to excite kids about learning, growth and empowerment through access to quality materials.”
When many libraries canceled summer reading programs in the early days of the pandemic, Simon and her team came up with ideas for children at home or in the community.
“Her mission is to bring joy, collaboration and fierce advocacy for youth to our community.”
Simon also serves the community through the Family and Children First Council and the League of Women Voters.
“I think of her sometimes as being like the rising tide that lifts all boats,” a nominator wrote.
“I’m really, really touched,” Simon said as she received her award. “This really means a lot to me. Thank you very much for supporting the library.”
As many award recipients, Simon was surrounded by her family on stage, including her three adult children. “They were raised at the library,” she said.
The Zeus Award was given to Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn, who was credited for creating a culture of success for women in law enforcement.
“With constant training opportunities, leadership schools, connections in the community and the coordinator of grants and community entities, women at the Wood County Sheriff’s Office have ample opportunities to grow,” a nominator wrote.
The current jail administrator is a woman who worked her way up through the ranks.
Wasylyshyn secured a grant from the state to assign one deputy to work with the Violence Against Women Act. The deputy responds to domestic violence calls and works hand in hand with The Cocoon.
The sheriff is involved in several area groups and boards, and is an integral part of area schools, according to the nominator. He is known for “his dedication to educating our community and the citizens on the services our office provides, the great work our deputies do, and the recruitment for those who wish to be a part of our office,” the nominator wrote.
There are currently five female deputies who work on road patrol, two female detective sergeants in the office, and four of the six sergeants in the jail are female.
“The number of women leaders within the Wood County Sheriff’s Office is a true testament to the culture and opportunities Sheriff Wasylyshyn has created,” the nominator wrote. “Sheriff Wasylyshyn encourages and provides leadership opportunities in our office for all to succeed and develop as great leaders.”
Wasylyshyn was not able to be present, but a video was shown of him accepting his award. “I’m very blessed to be the sheriff of Wood County,” he said. “We really have wonderful opportunities here that a lot of communities don’t have.”
The Outstanding Female Citizen Award went to Lee Hakel – a woman who has made a difference in Bowling Green through her volunteer and elected roles in the community.
“She takes a very active role in every one of the organizations she has been involved with, finding creative and positive methods to achieve the organizations’ goals while supporting and encouraging others with whom she works,” her nominator wrote about Hakel.
“Lee is a visionary and has been able to insightfully and clearly present ideas,” her nominator wrote. “Lee has made a significant contribution to improving the quality of life for citizens of Bowling Green.”
Hakel served as vice president at Organizational Research & Development Inc., where she was managing editor of a quarterly psychology research journal, and executive director of the Society for Industrial & Organizational Psychology.
When Hakel moved to Bowling Green in 1991, she “immediately began to demonstrate an active leadership role for the betterment of the community through involvement with a variety of organizations,” her nominator wrote.
Her involvement includes: BG Community Foundation Board, Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, BG Community Development Foundation, working with the Wood County Board of Elections, Bowling Green Schools Foundation, Bowling Green Board of Education member, Bowling Green Schools levy committees, BGSU University Women, Planned Parenthood of Northwest Ohio, Northwest Ohio Community Shares, Foundation for Family Health, and Prevent Blindness of Northwest Ohio.
Hakel has served many leadership roles with the League of Women Voters of Bowling Green.
In receiving her award, Hakel said she recently returned from a tour of Holland to her beloved Bowling Green. “No place was as beautiful as Bowling Green,” she said.
The Outstanding Male Citizen Award was given to Dr. Thomas Wojciechowski – a physician who has served local residents from birth to their senior years.
Wojciechowski, better known as Dr. Wojo, was recognized for serving the Bowling Green community for 46 years.
“Dr. Wojo has been a dedicated physician in Bowling Green for many years. He is loved by many in BG,” his nominator wrote.
Wojciechowski has also served as team doctor for the BGSU Hockey Team for more than 40 years, and now specializes in geriatrics, serving as medical director of multiple local nursing home facilities.
“He is very humble and what means the most to him is his family first, and being respected and trusted by his patients and their families,” his nominator wrote.
Wojciechowski has also served the community as volunteer physician to BGHS hockey, Wood Lane physician since 1979, and on the board at Wood County Hospital.
He has been awarded the “patient choice award” multiple times for being a physician who has made a significant impact in his patients’ lives, and the “compassionate doctor award” multiple times “for his bedside manner and treating his patients and their families with the utmost kindness.”
He also has served roles at his church, St. Thomas More University Parish.
In receiving his award, Dr. Wojo said the honor “surprised the heck out of me.”
“This is a great community to be a physician. A great community to be a father. A great community to be a church member,” he said.
The I Love BG Award was presented to Paul Thayer, of Thayer Family Dealerships, a business that makes an effort to improve life for community residents.
“From creating small events for our community families to enjoy, to hosting fundraisers to raise money for a variety of non-profit organizations, they are always thinking of others,” the nominator wrote.
Thayer’s six dealerships collect trash through the Adopt-a-Highway Program, offer a community movie night, Dog Days of Summer, and Cars and Coffee events. The dealerships also host Ladies Night with proceeds benefiting The Cocoon, an annual car and truck show to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the Christmas Dreams program collecting toys for children.
“Many individuals have been helped through their philanthropic endeavors,” the nominator wrote. “Their efforts benefit victims of sexual and domestic violence, sick and hospitalized children, and families in need who cannot afford to give their children presents at Christmas.”
In receiving the award, Paul Thayer and Rachael Thayer-London expressed their appreciation to the community.
“We’re very grateful to be part of such a wonderful community,” London-Thayer said.
The Customer Service Award recognized Wood County District Public Library as a pillar of the community that has been a gathering place in Bowling Green.
The library remained an important space during the COVID pandemic. It provided resource materials to parents trying to teach their children at home. Adults, while unable to go to places like movie theaters or restaurants, were still able to get much-needed library materials both digitally and in person.
Library patrons were able to use free Wifi, research databases, career resources, craft and skill databases, plus all materials in print and digital collections.
“Home delivery was introduced for patrons who couldn’t or didn’t want to leave their homes, and continues to be a service many patrons appreciate and depend on,” the nominator wrote.
Also the library distributed more than 9,000 COVID-19 test kits to local residents.
“And through it all, the WCDPL staff have been a steadfast and constant source of support and kindness in an ever-shifting world,” the nominator wrote. “The library is truly a place where the community is put first.”
In accepting the award, Michele Raine talked about how the library pivoted in order to remain a constant for the community. “We’re nothing without you,” she said.
Small Business of the Year Award was presented to a downtown burger joint – Beckett’s Burger Bar.
Beckett’s, owned by George and Amy Strata, was recognized for dedication to high quality, customer service, and an understanding that these are accomplished when staff are cared for and appreciated.
George Strata entered the restaurant business at age 14, and has worked in food sales, serving, bartending and restaurant ownership.
“This depth of knowledge and understanding of the daily demands placed on his staff leads to a philosophy he quickly shares when quizzed about his employee retention,” the nominator wrote. “He cares for and about the people who are part of the Beckett’s restaurant family.”
The Stratas also work hard to provide quality meals, the nominator said.
The couple is also dedicated to the community, supporting the One Book BG program, donating a percentage of sales to various sports teams, and supporting both the Santa Foundation and the Christmas Dreams program.
“We’re very surprised and honored,” George Strata said.
“We couldn’t do it without you and the community,” Amy Strata said.
The Greg Kegler Volunteerism Award was given to Cathy Newlove Wenig, who has been generous with her time to many community organizations.
Wenig was recognized for her leadership roles in Bowling Green Kiwanis Club, Wood County Community Improvement Corporation, and Wood County Job & Family Services Planning Committee.
She is co-owner of Wenig Farms, and supporter of various agriculture organizations. She is also part of John Newlove Real Estate, and has been inducted into the Wood County Board of Realtors Hall of Fame.
Wenig has also been recipient of the Athena Award, Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award, and Spirit of Wood County Award in agriculture.
“She is thorough, compassionate, smart and seeks ways to improve business and the community,” the nominator wrote.
Wenig was involved with organizing events like Community Day in City Park, an arts and crafts festival, Easter Egg hunt, downtown flower planting, and emceed the Holiday Parade with Dave Horger.
“I’m a little overwhelmed,” Wenig said as she accepted her award for 44 years of volunteer work. “I challenge you all to commit another 44 years.”
