Hanna Honored; Anastos, Flaming Foliage Award Winners at CCEP Annual Dinner
Record photo – Jeannine Lipez
LOCK HAVEN – It was a night of recognition at Wednesday’s Clinton County Economic Partnership annual dinner.
Award winners included Lock Haven businessman Louie Anastos who received the Frank D. O’Reilly Service Award, presented by Clinton County Commissioner Pete Smeltz. Anastos was recognized for his community service, including the past two years as chairman of the Partnership’s operating board and his efforts to secure funding for a Susquehanna River boat dock to be erected adjacent to the Corman Amphitheater next year.
The Flaming Foliage Festival was named recipient of the Carl Bergdahl Tourism Award. Accepting for the event which celebrated its 70th anniversary this month were foliage committee co-chairmen Dave Watt and Pattie Rauch. Watt noted he has attended the Renovo festival since 1963 and has been involved in staging the festival since 1973, working for some years with the late festival co-founder Carl Bergdahl. The recipients said they were honored with the recognition. Watt said there was one unfortunate moment two years ago when his parade vehicle caught on fire; other than that, he said, the experience has been rewarding. Rich Wykoff presented the Bergdahl award.
Retiring state Rep. Mike Hanna was given a special plaque and thank you from the area’s largest employer, First Quality. Company official Kerry Moore read a note of thank you from First Quality owners, the Damaghi family, wishing Hanna well in his retirement. Hanna will complete 28 years in the state House at the end of this year.
Hanna, in brief comments, noted that First Quality has been in the county for 30 years and said his relationship was a “partnership I am proud of.” He said it was an honor and privilege to serve 76th district constituents and he will be staying involved in the community.
The dinner featured a full house at Lock Haven University’s Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center. Keystone speaker was LHU’s new President, Robert Pignatello. He talked of the challenges in higher education and of the importance of engaging the greater Lock Haven community.
