The Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce held a special luncheon for a special man on June 18. This luncheon was a celebration of the hard work and dedication of Terry Hufford, the executive director for the chamber, who was retiring after serving in that position for 12 years.
Click here to see more photos!
Like any typical chamber luncheon, the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation got things started. Carol Costakis, President of the Portage Chamber of Commerce, welcomed all in attendance. She along with others regaled the crowd with memories of Hufford and humorous anecdotes.
“We’re taking over and letting Terry relax with his family,” Costakis said. “I have a Blackhawks sweater on today because Terry is a serious fan and this program is about him. There are a lot of people here today who want to recognize and thank him… Terry is passionate about what he does… Thank you for serving with us and guiding us.”
Terry Hardin of the Portage Township Live Entertainment Association and Portage Chamber spoke of Hufford’s years of dedication to the Association and presented him with a lifetime membership to the Summer Concert Series. He also inducted him into the Red Rose Society, a group of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the success of live entertainment in the community.
“In 2001 we decide to start a series of concerts in the park. It got to be a large project and we recruited Terry in 2004 to partner with us with the goal of having him be the main fundraiser,” Hardin said. “He’s done such an outstanding job that we have been able to add more and more concerts every year.”
Barb Young, President of the Porter County Community Foundation, gave a grant to the Portage Township Education Foundation in honor of Hufford’s retirement. It recognized his love and commitment to the children of Portage.
“When Terry came to the chamber the Community Foundation was still in its infancy. And whenever we asked for help or to get to know the community better, Terry always answered the call. He has been very supportive of the Foundation,” Young said.
Dave Kasarda and Jamie Lewis entertained everyone with a “roast” of Hufford. Everyone laughed and clapped, but no one laughed harder than Hufford. In the end Kasarda took it to a serious note.
“Love him or hate him, agree with him or disagree with him, no one ever served this city as much or was more passionate about Portage,” Kasarda said. “He was on the school board, Relay for Life, Nativity Church, the chamber of commerce – he was the first one at all of the cookouts we had and the last one to leave. I don’t know anyone who has served this community better than Terry Hufford.”
Hufford’s staff at the chamber, Nancy Simpson and Mary Linoski, put together a survival kit for him, naming the reasoning behind each object so that he could survive without them during retirement. Starburst candy for a “burst” of energy, a balloon to star the celebration with a “bang”, a sponge to “soak up” all of the happy memories, and more sweet sentiments.
“We want to thank you for your work for the chamber, Mary and I are proud to have worked for you, but we thought that we should put a kit together so you could survive without us,” Simpson said, humor in her eyes.
Mayor James Snyder presented Hufford with a Key to the City, stating wholeheartedly that Hufford is a great representation of family and all the good things about it.
“If there is anything that I want people to remember my by, it’s not being the mayor, it’s not the fire station that’s been built, or the park that is being rebuilt, I want to be remembered as a father,” Mayor Snyder said. “And that is exactly what I think of when I think of Terry. I think about his commitment to our community’s education and we’re grateful for all you have done for the City of Portage.”
Hufford had been involved in so many boards, groups, and organizations over the years in Portage. He’s been part of the Portage Township School Board, PEDCO, Portage Rotary Club, Portage Township Education Foundation, the United Way, and Relay for Life. Brendan Clancy, Portage Township Trustee, read a Proclamation to recognize these accomplishments.
“…Whereas Terry Hufford has improved the quality of life for many Portage Township residents, and whereas his never ending community service and dedication to his city has exemplified what a true public servant should be. Therefore, being resolved on behalf of all of the citizens of Portage Township, Porter County, in the great state of Indiana, the Portage Township Trustee hereby recognizes Terry Hufford for his years of dedication and service that he has provided to all of Portage Township,” Clancy read.
The Portage Chamber Executive Committee then gave Hufford some special gifts, continuing the celebration of his legacy.
“Thank you for everything that you have done for us. Thank you for allowing us to speak our minds,” Cindy Colvin, Past President of the Executive Committee said to Hufford.
And finally, Hufford himself spoke. He was moved by all who spoke such kind words, knowing that he was ending a wonderful chapter and on his way to a new one.
“My time with the chamber has been outstanding,” Hufford said. “I won’t be talking about my accomplishments today, but instead the relationships that I have been able to form. The people I know here today are the core of the chamber and I have had the luxury of working with them… Twelve years ago I had to ask for directions to the chamber; I didn’t know where it was. Today it runs in my blood. I love every part of it, every aspect of it, and I think that we have been a benefit to the community and I hope that people see that for a long, long time.”
Hufford will be passing the reigns over to Lou Gagliardi, former Executive Director of PEDCO. He was welcomed at the end of the luncheon with handshakes and warm wishes of success.
Hufford plans to spend his retirement first on a much anticipated trip to Wisconsin, then back to spend time with his wife, children, and grandkids. He will still be involved with Chamber activities, though. Hufford plans to stay involved with the educational boards in Portage and help the school system as much as he can.