2019 brought some exciting happenings to the South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority (CVA), including the merger with South Shore Legends and the induction of three legends from Northwest Indiana’s rich history. Wednesday evening marked the 36th Annual Holiday Party, toasting to legends new and old, and outstanding businesses and individuals around the Region.
The Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond hosted more than 300 people for the celebration. In attendance were representatives from cities and businesses, as well as state representatives. It was an evening filled with friendly greetings, laughs, and exquisite food and drinks from some of the Region’s top breweries and wineries.
Previously, the South Shore CVA’s holiday party was a night to award and celebrate the success of some of Northwest Indiana’s most prominent and thriving businesses. However, this year South Shore CVA President & CEO Speros Batistatos wanted to utilize the party’s exposure to recognize the organization’s recent attraction; the Wall of Legends.
“The Wall of Legends lives on the far wall of the South Shore CVA,” Batistatos said. “It’s a great way to tell visitors and residents alike about the most important people that have not only walked amongst us and shaped Northwest Indiana, but also the world.”
Since 2004, South Shore Legends has inducted 73 movers and shakers throughout Northwest Indiana’s history. Formerly its own event, Co-Founder and Coordinator for South Shore Legends John Davies says the holiday party was a great way to celebrate the merger of South Shore Legends and the South Shore CVA.
“When people visit the welcome center they get a sense of greatness and that’s why we’re celebrating the talent, the resilience, and integrity of leadership tonight,” Davies said. “Our amazing legends range from Indiana’s first non-commissioned, a tail gunner, to fly 50 missions during World War II which came from Northwest Indiana to people like Dorothy Buell who wanted to save the Indiana Dunes.”
Last year, Davies was the recipient of the South Shore CVA’s Lifetime Achievement Award which Batistatos says is what sparked the collaboration of events.
“When we gave a John our Chester F. Dabis Lifetime Achievement Award last year at this party, more people knew John had won that award than anyone knew about the Wall of Legend recipients,” Batistatos said. “We wanted to help draw more attention to his work and the legends of Northwest Indiana, which is why we combined the events. The goal was to get regional leaders to know better what the Wall of Legends is all about. We were able to get 300 people here tonight to see the wall in person.”
Davies has one message for everyone.
“There’s a legend in everyone,” Davies said. “It’s particularly important that future generations of people understand they are capable of greatness. And greatness doesn’t relate to wealth, greatness means making a difference.”
This year’s inductees included:
George Ade, a journalist, philanthropist, playwright, and writer whose career rose rapidly as a result of outstanding coverage of a steamship explosion on the Chicago River. Ade, also know as the “Father of the American Musical” as we know today, continues to hold the record of having three different works performed on Broadway simultaneously.
Thomas G. Katsahinas, the son of a Greek immigrant, spent the majority of his career at Inland Steel, rising through the ranks of the company. He was eventually named CEO in 1978. He also served as CEO at other companies and helped transform institutions in healthcare, education, and the arts by serving as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Calumet College of St. Joesph and Ancilla Systems.
Dr. Harold E. Scheub became one of the world’s leading scholars in African oral traditions. After retiring from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Scheub walked more than 6,000 miles in African countries. During his journey, Scheub learned 17 dialects in African languages and introduced students to the oral tradition of Africa. Scheub also published 30 books and 50 scholarly papers based on his stories.
Once the induction ceremony concluded, it was time to award some of the NWI’s most accomplished and successful businesses, individuals, and organizations. Honorees included:
Hotel of the Year: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Valparaiso
Restaurant of the Year: Radius
Venue of the Year: Bulldog Park in Crown Point
Attraction of the Year: Indiana Dunes National Park
Outstanding Individual Contribution: Kirk Cordill, Dealer Principal, Jaguar Land Rover South Shore
Elected Offical of the Year: Anthony Copeland, Mayor of East Chicago
Chester F. Dabis Lifetime Achievement Award: Frank Schilling, The Shrine of Christ’s Passion
To learn more about the South Shore CVA and all the activities and events they host throughout the Region this holiday season, visit www.southshorecva.com.
