BY JOHN REED LEADER EDITOR
KNOX — Ted Hayes is “a guy who’s been a great part of this community for 40 years,” Harold Welter told the crowd gathered in the Knox Community Center on Thursday, Jan. 22.
Welter, who has been Hayes friend for those 40 years and was responsible for bringing him to Knox, made his comments as Hayes received the Henry F. Schricker award. That award is the highest given in Starke County and is presented annually by the Starke County Chamber of Commerce.

Hayes, the general manager of WKVI Radio, is one of the best-known personalities in Starke County. Last week’s dinner became a celebration of friendship and praise for Hayes, culminating in a moving presentation from children active in the Starke County Youth Club.
State Rep. Nancy Dembowski, for many years an employee of WKVI, attributed her political career to Hayes. “Ted sent me down a path I never even considered I would take... the name recognition I had from WKVI helped me win my first election.
 “You’ve chosen the right man for the Schricker award. Ted Hayes is the heart of this community,” she said.
“I am truly humbled to receive an award associated with Henry Schricker,” Hayes said, then introducing the entire staff of the radio station and some of its board members.
The award is named for former Gov. Henry F. Schricker, a North Judson native and Starke County’s only resident to hold that office. Schricker also was the only governor to serve two separate terms in the statehouse, 1941-44 and 1949-52.
The award is based on Schricker’s famed attitude of rendering “service beyond self.”
Hayes called many others to the podium, representatives of organizations he has supported and helped over the years. Among those were Ruth Matsey and Annette Ohlman from the Coalition Against Domestic Abuse; Kathy Norem from the Starke County Community Foundation; and Shelly Kemble from Starke United.
Some of Hayes' activities that he has been involved with include, but are not limited to the following:
• Henry F. Schricker Library Board of Trustees
• Starke County Fine Arts Commission
• Knox Kiwanis
• Starke County Chamber of Commerce
• Knox Park Board
• Ancilla College Board of Trustees and on the President's Council
• Peppermint Parade and Harvest Festival, Knox
• Starke County Youth Club
• Knox Sports Hall of Fame
• Annually provided a remote radio broadcast to support Starke United, along with the first remote several years ago to help with the start of Phoenix House.