Mill Hall’s Sue Morris named Artisan of the Year

KANE, PA – The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. (PA Wilds Center) on Monday announced the recipients of the 2023 Champions of the PA Wilds Awards. The 2023 Champions include Sue Morris from Mill Hall, recognized as the group’s Artisan of the Year.

The winners will be honored at the 2023 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards, to be held on Thursday, July 27.
The Champion of the Pennsylvania Wilds Awards celebrate individuals, organizations, communities and businesses that are making significant contributions to grow and sustainably develop the outdoor recreation economy and nature tourism in the Pennsylvania Wilds. There are nine award categories open for public nominations. Nominations for 2023 awards were due by April 3.

“There were so many amazing nominations for Champion Awards this year, making it challenging for the review committee,” said Beth Pellegrino, PA Wilds Center Board Member and Outreach Committee chair. “The theme of this year’s dinner is ‘Celebrating Decades of Conservation and Innovation,’ and these winners do just that. The tenacity, drive and passion of our 2023 Champions is to be commended! They have each made something special possible – and we are eager to celebrate their achievements on July 27!”

Artisan of the Year Award: Sue Morris – Mill Hall, Clinton County
Sue Morris was selected as the recipient of the 2023 PA Wilds Artisan of the Year Champion Award. The Artisan of the Year Award honors a PA Wilds Juried Artisan who has gone above and beyond to use their medium and creativity to promote the region or help advance The Wilds Cooperative of PA. Sue is a professional level Craft Artisan in the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania who specializes in making body and skin care products, along with herbal tinctures, from her own organic garden. Planting by the moon, Sue combines the concepts of spiritual wellbeing and natural remedies with craftsmanship to create her line of products. An advocate for and promoter of a healthy lifestyle through the use of medicinal herbs, she is also a well-known educator and sought after speaker at herb, garden and artisan vendor events throughout the region. Sue has participated in several PA Wilds initiatives, including the PACE Program, a professional development cohort. She is a wholesale vendor to the PA Wilds Conservation Shop and sells her products on the PA Wilds Marketplace at ShopThePAWilds.com.

Registration is now open for the 2023 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards, which will be held at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Jefferson County, on Thursday, July 27. The cocktail hour and vendor displays begin at 3 p.m., followed by dinner and award presentations between 5 and 9 p.m.

Pre-registration is required by 10:30 PM ET July 20 at PAWilds.com/events. An early bird registration discount available until June 20.

The complete list of this year’s winners:
• Artisan of the Year: Sue Morris

• Best Brand Ambassador: New Trail Brewing Company

• Business of the Year: Highland Chocolates

• Conservation Stewardship: Kelly Williams

• Event of the Year: Potter-Tioga Maple Weekend

• Great Design: Clearly Ahead Development’s River’s Landing Event Center

• Great Places: Cook Forest Sensory Trail

• Inspiring Youth (Individual): Alex Luckenbill

• Inspiring Youth (Organization): Allegheny Mountain Chapter, Trout Unlimited

• Outstanding Leader: Erick Coolidge – Tioga County Commissioner

• PA Wilds Planning Team Member of the Year: Dan Glotz – Warren County Planner