The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce was pleased to present our 2019 awards at our Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration, presented by Altoona First Savings Bank and hosted by Bun Air Corp – November 21st at the Bedford County Airport.

Seventeen awards were presented to 19 outstanding businesses, organizations and individuals of the Bedford County region, recognizing a variety of accomplishments, including: excellence in business (small, medium and large categories), community service, historical preservation, property improvement, agri-business, education and servant leadership, as well as the prestigious Athena Award, sponsored by Bedford BPW and Thomas Dealerships.

Ella McElwee of Health by Choice Education & Research was presented with the prestigious Athena Award, sponsored by Bedford BPW and Tomas Chevrolet Subaru. The Chamber also partners with BCDA, the Bedford County Visitors Bureau and Bedford County Community Connections to present awards for economic development, excellence in tourism and a commitment to hiring people with disabilities.

Ella McElwee Accepts the Athena Award

The theme of the evening was Come Fly With Us, a nod to the music, style and glamour of air travel of the 1950’s-60’s. The evening began with a reception that also launched an extensive text-to-bid silent auction, sponsored by Stiffler-McGraw, showcasing Chamber member businesses. NEW in 2019, the auction has been extended through the Chamber’s Holiday Open House on December 12th, allowing greater exposure for the participating donors, and to allow for bidding by those who are not able to attend the banquet.

Staging, A/V by Soaring Eagle Productions

Soaring Eagle Productions provided audio-visual services, including the production of the pre-recorded acceptance speeches with lighting and special effects support from ENCORE.

With the new venue for this year’s banquet, guests were treated to a very special immersive experience as the immaculate corporate hangar was transformed into a chic, fanciful VIP lounge; fun surprises throughout the evening included performances by the Bedford County Players and delighfully-produced videos by Dennis Tice of the Bedford County CVB, setting the tone for the evening. A delectable buffet was provided by the Casino at Snappy Chef, featuring multiple entrée and side choices with something for everyone. Everett Flower Shop designed the centerpieces with Balloon Decor by Alexandra adding to the ambiance; guests also enjoyed whimsical favors from Bedford Candies.

The 2019 awards and honorees are listed below with their acceptance speech videos.

Businesses are welcome to provide an item promoting their company for inclusion in the silent auction; program ads are also available to advertise businesses and/or congratulate the honorees. For more information, please call the Chamber office at 814-623-2233 or CLICK HERE.

John Anderson Award
Business Hall of Fame
Business Hall of Fame
Excellence in Business – Large
Excellence in Business – Medium
Excellence in Business – Small
Servant Leadership Award
Volunteer of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Employer Community Service
Excellence in Education
Heritage Preservation
Property Improvement
Innovation
Excellence in Agriculture
Excellence in Tourism (with Bedford County Visitors Bureau)
Community Connections Award (Hiring People with Disabilities – with Transition Council)
Economic Development Award (With BCDA)

The 2019 Award Honorees are:

JOHN ANDERSON AWARD: Bedford County Players
BUSINESS HALL OF FAME AWARD: Felton’s Quality Inn Breeze Manor
P. Joseph Lehman Consulting Engineers

EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARD (3 Categories):
Small (no more than 10 employees): Lana’s Custom Draperies & Blinds
Medium (no more than 60 employees): Howard Hanna Bardell Realty
Large (61 or more employees): Penelec

VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR: John Beamer and Dakota McClucas
INNOVATION AWARD: Waves Hair Studio
PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT AWARD: Loving Touch Flower & Gift Shop
HERITAGE PRESERVATION AWARD: Woodhaven B&B and Event Venue
EMPLOYER COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Stiffler-McGraw
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION: Health by Choice Education and Research
EXCELLENCE IN AGRI-BUSINESS AWARD: Blackberry Bottom Farm
SERVANT LEADERSHIP: To Be Announced Soon
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD: Weaver’s Sanitation
EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM: Old Bedford Village
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AWARD: Hoss’s Steak & Sea House
ATHENA AWARD: Honoree to be announced November 21st

The Chamber Thanks our Annual Dinner & Award Sponsors:
Altoona First Savings Bank: Exclusive Presenting Sponsor
Bun Air Corp/Bedford County Airport: Our Host
Stiffler, McGraw & Associates: Silent Auction Sponsor
Bedford BPW & Thomas Dealerships: Athena Co-Sponsors

Presenting Sponsors, Founders Circle & Executive Level Chamber Members to Date:
Allegany College of Maryland
Altoona First Savings Bank
Bedford Grange Mutual Insurance Company
FirstEnergy Corp
Hometown Bank of PA
Homewood at Spring House Estates
Keller Engineers
Knisely & Sons

M&T Bank
RWR Insurance
Stiffler-McGraw
Somerset Trust Company
Structural Fiberglass, Inc.
UPMC Bedford

Additional Sponsors & Partners to Date:
Soaring Eagle Productions: Award Video Production
Everett Flower Shop: Floral Centerpiece Designer
ENCORE: Special Event Lighting & Effects
Bedford Candies: Favor Sponsor

Individual Award Sponsors to Date:
Allegany College of Maryland
Bad Boyz Bistro
Bedford Grange Mutual Ins
Burger King
Coldwell Banker SKS Realty in Memory of Gary Nouse
First Commonwealth Bank
Hyndman Health Center
Knisely & Sons
Lampire Biological Laboratories
Mortimer Electric
Pennwood Ophthalmic Associates
ProCare Fitness Bedford
Structural Fiberglass, Inc.
Wessel & Company

For more information, or to sponsor the 2020 event, Please call Kellie Goodman Shaffer, Sarah Ferrari or Amy Barkman: 814.623.2233.