John J. Janik, the late president and CEO of the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce was honored and thanked Aug. 20 as the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce office building was dedicated in his name.

More than 100 Chamber members and invited guests were present as myself and and Chairman of the Board Hyon Kwak, of First Midwest Bank, reminded everyone of John's service and dedication to the town and his family.

Shawn Pettit, Merrillville town councilman from Ward 6, presented John's wife of 37 years, Lee Janik, with the key to the Town of Merrillville and State Representative Chet Dobis presented the chamber with an Indiana state flag in gratitude and memory of John.

After a champagne toast, Mrs. Janik and Hyon unveiled the beautiful plaque that now adorns the John J. Janik Building office complex. Thank you John, for your 28 years of service to the chamber, Town of Merrillville and the State of Indiana - you are missed.

Thanks for the help

The chamber staff would like to thank and recognize the following members who so graciously donated their time and service to the dedication: Brian P. Popp, Laszlo & Popp Attorneys at Law, for his financial donation, Bryan's Florist for the corsage donation to the Janik family, Calories Plus for the dessert, Crown Party Rentals for the chairs and sound system, Crown Trophy for assistance with the plaque, the Rev. Joseph Vamos of Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church for his invocation, Mike McIntyre of Horizon Bank for preparation of the plaque, Pam & Neil Veldman of S & S Copiers for donating program printing, Mike Williams of The Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza for donating hors d'oeuvres, Town of Merrillville for its assistance with permitting and parking, and Doug Smith of ULTRA Foods for the champagne and beverages.

Carol Kalmar of Pretty Woman & Gentleman's Touch Hair Salon and her dedication committee, Nancy Camp of Wise Way Foods, Hyon Kwak, Michael Kalmar of Pretty Woman & Gentleman's Touch Hair Salon and Mike McIntyre, deserve accolades for planning the event.

New executive director

Thank you to the Executive Board of Directors of the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce for appointing me as the new executive director of the chamber. I have served the chamber as controller for 10 years and have been serving as interim director for a year.

John J. Janik's shoes will be very difficult to fill, but our close relationship has served us well to continue the growth that has made this chamber strong.

Come to a street fair

Bring the family for games, contests, raffles, craft and food booths, music, giveaways, and more planned for 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Spring Mill Health Campus' Street Fair, at 101 W. 87th Ave., Merrillville. Bingo will be played from 1 to 7 p.m.

Proceeds from this street fair will go to the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk. For more information call Pam Baldin at (219) 756-0744.

Edward C. Dernulc is executive director of the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce. Reach him at (219) 769-8180 or geninq@merrillville.coc.org Opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.