In addition to interviewing and appointing a new member to the Department of Health and Human Services Board, the Sanilac County Board of Commissioners will take time at their next meeting to commemorate the 95th year of operation at Peck’s K.M. Cork Hardware Store. They will also be honoring former Sanilac County Historic Village and Museum Administrator Dawn Malek for her work.
Malek, who retired just before September 2023 after six years of hard work on behalf of the museum, was responsible for several major innovations at the museum. Her work was recognized by the Historical Society of Michigan recently, with Malek being awarded the 2023 State History Award for Distinguished Professional Service. In turn, the board of commissioners wish to publicly recognize Malek for her fundraising, networking and planning talents, as well as the benefit she brought to the county and its museum.
In regards to K. M. Cork Hardware, the commissioners with to commemorate one of, if not the, longest serving businesses in Sanilac County. Still operating with inventory both current and historical, the hardware store in Peck was first opened in 1912 but officially taken over and renamed by Kenneth E. Cork in July 1928 after purchasing it from his uncle and his business partner.
In 1986, Kenneth’s son, Lee Cork, took over the store after his father’s passing, with Lee well-known in the local community for his work on theater productions at the Barn Theater and Carsonville-Port Sanilac High School. He is to be presented with the commissioners’ proclamation at next Tuesday’s meeting.
