2022 PA Wilds Champions receive awards at July 28 dinner

Please join the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. (PA Wilds Center) in congratulating the recipients of the 2022 Champions of the PA Wilds Awards! The winners were honored at the 2022 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards, which was held July 28, 2022, at Bald Birds Brewing in Jersey Shore, Lycoming County.

The Champion of the Pennsylvania Wilds Awards celebrate individuals, groups, organizations, communities and businesses that in the last year have made significant contributions to help grow and sustainably develop the outdoor recreation economy and nature tourism in the Pennsylvania Wilds in a way that creates jobs, diversifies local economies, inspires stewardship and improves quality of life. There are nine award categories open for public nominations each year. The region’s county governments, visitor bureaus and many local organizations participate in the effort, along with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

“The 2022 Champions are a slate of outstanding community members and organizations that make an enormous contribution to the vitality of our region. We are so proud to be able to honor these deserving individuals and organizations for their efforts at the first PA Wilds Dinner & Awards banquet to take place in nearly three years,” said Beth Pellegrino, PA Wilds Center Board Member and Outreach Committee chair.

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Carol Ann Simon Cillo, a fine artist serving Lock Haven (Clinton County) who works primarily with ceramics and acrylics, received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Artisan of the Year. Beyond being a juried artisan in the Wilds Cooperative of PA, Cillo encourages artists to become rooted in the landscape of the PA Wilds and takes part in regional arts initiatives. The award was presented by Julie Brennan, Chamber/Tourism Director, Clinton County Economic Partnership & Visitors Bureau.

Above, from left:  Senator Gene Yaw, Clinton County Commissioner Angela Harding, Clinton County Commissioner Jeff Snyder, Carol Cillo, Clinton County Tourism/Chamber Director Julie Brennan, Senator Cris Dush’s aid Deborah Rudy

Ron and Teresa Kodish, organizers of the Smoked Country Jam Bluegrass Festival in Cross Fork (Clinton County), received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Best Brand Ambassador. The organizers have intentionally promoted the festival to embrace the natural environment of northern Clinton County and the historic importance of local roots music and storytelling. The award was presented by Hannah Brock, PA Wilds Conservation Shop and Licensing Manager.

Above, from left: Clinton County Commissioner Jeff Snyder, Clinton County Commissioner Angela Harding, Ron Kodish, Teresa Kodish, Clinton County Tourism/Chamber Director Julie Brennan, Senator Cris Dush’s aide Deborah Rudy

Andrea Skirpan and Brian Bonner, co-owners of Belle Mercantile in Bellefonte (Centre County), received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Business of the Year. Belle Mercantile offers a unique destination for visitors to shop, while providing a brick-and-mortar location for local business owners searching for a permanent space. The award was presented by LaKeshia Knarr, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Director, PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship.

Above, from left:  Matt Wise (aide for Senator Jake Corman), Andrea Skirpan, Brian Bonner, Mark Long (aide for Rep. Kerry Benninghoff)

Dale Luthringer, an Environmental Education Specialist for Cook Forest State Park, received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Conservation Stewardship. Luthringer creates and leads teacher workshops and environmental education programs, with about 18,000 attending each year. He also organizes educational and volunteer events such as the Woodsy Owl Workday, the Cook Forest Big Tree Extravaganza, and the Cook Forest French & Indian War Encampment. The award was presented by Matt Marusiak, PA Wilds Center board member and  Land Protection Manager, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Above, from left:  Dale Luthringer and Matt Marusiak (PA Wilds board member and Land Protection Manager for Western Pennsylvania Conservancy)

Lu Ann Potter, one of the founders of Project Coffee House in Clinton County and now Project Nature C.A.M.P. in Lycoming County, accepts the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Inspiring Youth. Her program provides enrichment activities for children during the summer, focusing on healthy eating, connecting with others and appreciating nature. The award was presented by Jason Fink, PA Wilds Center board member and President/CEO, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

Above, from left:  Lycoming County Commissioner Tony Mussare, Lycoming County Commissioner Richard Mirabito, Lu Ann Potter, Senator Gene Yaw

Glenn Vernon and Claudia Albertin, architects who collaborated on The Gamble Mill in Bellefonte (Centre County), accept the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Great Design. As one of the last remaining grain mills in the country, the design is a balance of preserving the historical nature of the building while incorporating modern amenities. The award was presented by Abbi Peters, Chief Operations Officer, PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship.

Above, from left:  Kevin Abott (Jabebo, Bellefonte business owner), Mary Abbott (Jabebo, Bellefonte business owner), Kathryn Spielvogel (Economic Vitality Chair, Downtown Bellefonte Inc.), Matt Wise (aide for Senator Jake Corman), Melissa Hombosky (Events Committee Chair, Downtown Bellefonte Inc.), Main Street Manager for Downtown Bellefonte Inc. Jennilyn Schuster, Glenn Vernon, Claudia Albertin, Mark Long (aide for Rep. Kerry Benninghoff), Abbi Peters (PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship Founding COO), Andrea Skirpan and Brian Bonner (Belle Mercantile, Bellefonte business owners)

Laura Funaki, president of the Friends of Twin Lakes board in Wilcox (Elk County), received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Great Places. Due to capacity and budget restraints, the Allegheny National Forest was originally going to close Twin Lakes Recreation Area. Friends of Twin Lakes saved the area and is now bringing in guests every weekend during camping and travel season. The award was presented by Nathan Reigner, PhD, DCNR’s Director of Outdoor Recreation.

Above, from left:  Teressa Walker, Laurie Storrar, Laura Funaki, Louise Avery, Laura Lynch, Paul Prencipe (members of the Friends of Twin Lakes board)

Dan McGinley, AJ Dereume and Jory Serrian from the Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Event of the Year. When it comes to rural tourism marketing, it’s hard to think of an event more wildly successful than Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day, an event that can draw in up to 30,000 visitors each February 2nd. The award was presented by Kate Brock, PA Wilds Center board chair and Executive Director of the Community Education Center of Elk and Cameron Counties.

Above, from left:  Jory Serrian (Daybreaker, Groundhog Club Inner Circle), Ta Enos (Founder and CEO of PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship), AJ Dereume (Rainmaker and Phil’s Handler, Groundhog Club Inner Circle), Dan McGinley (Moonshine, Groundhog Club Inner Circle)

Katie de Silva, vice chair of the PA Wilds Planning Team and planner for Clinton County, received the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Member of the Year. Through her leadership roles, Katie is helping to transition one of the longest-standing PA Wilds stakeholder groups to a new era of regional planning and collaboration. The award was presented by Matt Marusiak, PA Wilds Center board member and Land Protection Manager, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Above, from left:  Deborah Rudy (aide for Senator Cris Dush), Clinton County Commissioner Angela Harding, Clinton County Commissioner Jeff Snyder, Senator Gene Yaw, Katie de Silva, Matt Marusiak (PA Wilds board member and Land Protection Manager for Western Pennsylvania Conservancy)

Meredith Hill, who has been involved with the Pennsylvania Wilds since its inception roughly 20 years ago, was chosen as the recipient of the 2022 PA Wilds Champion Award for Outstanding Leader. Hill has served as the Pennsylvania Wilds Conservation Landscape Director for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources during most of that time. The award was presented by Ta Enos, founder and CEO of PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship.

Above, from left:  Mandy Book (Acting Deputy Secretary for the Office of Business Financing and Workforce Development), Ta Enos (Founder and CEO of PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship), Meredith Hill, Tim Poole, Abbi Peters (Founding COO of PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship)

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT

Thanks to Rob Hinkal Photography for capturing the event.