Feb 17, 2005 By Jackie Beranek 3 min read

BULLSKIN TWP. – The Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce bestowed honors on Connellsville’s finest Tuesday during the organization’s annual meeting and awards banquet at the Pleasant Valley Country Club. The five awards presented included Community Service, Beautification, Athena, Distinguished Citizen and Community Service. Community members nominated all of the recipients for the awards.

The Beautification Award, presented by chamber board member Ed DeMuth, went to Michael Edwards and Dan Cocks, who have impressed many people within the community with their Newmyer House Bed and Breakfast project, located on South Pittsburgh Street.

In presenting the award, DeMuth said, “According to many nominators, these young men have crowned South Pittsburgh Street with this jewel of our city.”

Patty Hanford was honored for her outstanding community service in feeding the hungry year round at the Connellsville Senior Center through the Salvation Army service unit’s program.

Chamber member Bill Fiesta said the award is presented annually to an individual who has displayed dedication to a community project.

“Patty is known for her outstanding community service and certainly displays the type of dedication it takes to accomplish such a project throughout the community,” Fiesta said.

Hanford said she was honored to accept the award on behalf of her hard-working staff at the Connellsville Salvation Army.

U.S. Rep. John Murtha’s representative Joe Yankovich presented the Distinguished Citizen Award to local artist Helen Alt. Yankovich said Alt received an “overwhelming” number of nominations.

“Her outstanding accomplishments and leadership are inspiring,” said Yankovich. “She is renowned for her service and for her achievements, and she has contributed a great deal to Connellsville.”

In accepting the award Alt said, “This is awesome. I am humbled that someone thought enough of me to nominate me for this award.”

Chamber board member Dick Franks presented the Community Service Award for a group to the Connellsville Garden Club. Franks said members of the club take the time to spruce up many areas around the city, and in particular he mentioned the Cameron Court lot, City Hall and the Yough River Trail Lane, which lies along Third Street going into Yough Park.

Garden club spokeswoman Susan Coleman said the club does its best to help beautify the city and also noted that they can use some help. The group meets the third Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church on Fairview Avenue

Joanna Ball received the Athena Award, presented by chamber board member Gretchen Mundorff and sponsored this year by Fayette County Commissioner Joseph A. Hardy.

Mundorff said Ball, who served the children of the Connellsville Area School District for many years as a music teacher, received more than 100 nominations for the award.

“She is a classically trained musician extraordinaire, a tremendous friend to the arts in Connellsville and the areas surrounding us, and a person whose integrity bespeaks that of the finest example of our hometown,” said Mundorff. “Joanna Ball was my teacher and is the quintessential Renaissance woman and is most worthy of receiving this award.”

Ball said she was “touched” by the award and said Connellsville is truly blessed with talented people.

“I have had the pleasure of working with many of these talented people throughout the years,” said Ball. “I am humbled by this award.”