Clinton County PA Wilds Awards winners recognized
LOCK HAVEN, PA – It was state legislative citations all around at the Clinton County Commissioners’ meeting on Thursday. The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship (PA Wilds Center) last month announced the recipients of the 2021 Champions of the PA Wilds Awards and recipients included three Clinton County individuals or events:
Clinton County Tourism Director Julie Brennan, Outstanding Leader; photographer Bill Crowell, Artisan of the Year; and Lock Haven’s JAMS Festival, Event of the Year.
All three entities were recognized at the commissioners’ meeting with citations from state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz and Zack Ankeny, representing state Sen. Cris Dush. The commissioners noted the great honor for Clinton County, earning three of the annual awards from the 13-county PA Wilds organization.
Outstanding Leader: Julie Brennan, who was present for the citation presentation
Julie Brennan has held the post of Clinton County Tourism Director for six years. As a tourism and outdoor recreation advocate, she routinely promotes the PA Wilds. Julie is an active participant in many boards and committees designed to help the county thrive as a destination and a great place to live. Her advocacy on behalf of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail — a planned extension of the major Pine Creek Rail Trail from Jersey Shore to Lock Haven — led to the commitment of $20,000 annually from hotel tax revenue for trail maintenance. Julie advocated for and secured PA Wilds “Elk Scenic Drive” signage for the Route 120 Corridor from Lock Haven to Emporium. In addition, Julie has been closely involved with several events critical to the regional economy, including the LH JAMS Festival and several trail races such as the world-class Boulder Beast, Hyner Challenge, Great Island Triathlon, and Frozen Snot. When all events were cancelled due to COVID, instead of taking a break, she morphed her weekly newsletter into a daily “Moving Forward” update that gave vital information on available programs to assist cultural, hospitality, tourism and other businesses and organizations with their economic survival. It collected federal, state, and local program information and guidance into one place for a convenient easy read. Now that things are opening back up for tourism, she is producing both newsletters.
Artisan of the Year Award: Bill Crowell, unable to attend and who accepted through Zoom
A juried artisan in the Wilds Cooperative of PA (WCO), Bill Crowell uses his creative photography and graphic design skills both professionally and personally to celebrate the PA Wilds region and the beauty, bounty and rural traditions the region is known for. Through his business, Budget Artist, Crowell works with clients ranging from individual families and local sports leagues to those the size of Lock Haven University, documenting the lives and special moments for locals and area visitors. He can often be found attending community events with his camera or delving into creative projects for the community. During the 2020 COVID shutdown, Crowell embarked on a series of “Porchraits” that featured families on their porches surrounded by various household items to comically reflect how they were surviving the pandemic. Previously the photo editor for the local newspaper, Bill has a knack for photographing people and bringing local events and scenery to life. He has won several awards for his photography and graphic design work and often donates use of his photos to local businesses and organizations — such as Millbrook Playhouse, the Clinton County Visitors Bureau, Downtown Lock Haven Inc. and PA Wilds Center — in an effort to help promote the area as a place for visitors and residents.
Event of the Year Award: LH JAMS Festival, accepted by Steve Getz and Rich Wykoff Clinton County
The LH JAMS Festival (Lock Haven Jams and Art on Main Street Festival) in just a few years has fast become an exciting asset to the unique stable of festivals enticing music lovers and festival goers to visit Clinton County and the PA Wilds. The LH JAMS committee, partnering with Downtown Lock Haven and Lock Haven University, works year-round to keep the mix of art and entertainment fresh and exciting. It’s all about atmosphere, an exciting experience that leaves with you and draws you back the next year. Exceptional musicians and bands, plein air painting, fine art, crafts, and outdoor cafe-style dining, all on Main Street featuring two stages where the music is constant. It’s a full afternoon of music, art, and entertainment that flows into the evening where jazz and blues fans enjoy combos playing in intimate settings at local establishments, like the Broken Axe, Avenue 209, Odd Fellas, and the patio at Stella A’s.
