PA Dutch CVB announces 2011 Spirit of Hospitality Award winners and Hospitality Scholarship recipients at annual reception

(Lancaster, Pa.)  The Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau held its annual reception last evening, with the dazzling Clipper Magazine Stadium and hometown Lancaster Barnstormers serving as partner and host. The organization named four local tourism recipients for its 2011 Spirit of Hospitality Awards and nine local students as winners of its 2011 Hospitality Scholarships.

 

The Spirit of Hospitality Awards program honors individuals and organizations who exemplify the best of travel and tourism in Lancaster County.
 

Jason Myer, Barnyard Supervisor at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm in Ronks, received the Spirit of Leadership Award, which recognizes exemplary professionalism and exceptional service as a supervisory employee. Myer was recognized for helping others and positioning them, as well as the business, for success. He constantly demonstrates what it is to be a good leader – one who leads by example and doesn’t ask others to do things that he wouldn’t do himself.

 

Johnny Roberts, Marketing Coordinator for Isaac’s Famous Grilled Sandwiches in Lancaster, received the Spirit of Creativity Award, which recognizes dedication to innovation in such areas as creative marketing or new programs. Roberts thinks outside the box for Isaac’s and Lancaster’s broader tourism community, with a wealth of marketing knowledge that always seems to be looking ahead, never behind.

 

Ruth Harnish, Owner/Innkeeper of Flowers and Thyme B&B in Lancaster, received the Spirit of Service Award, which recognizes industry members who distinguish themselves in promoting Lancaster County tourism through exemplary service and dedication to the consumer. During her 17 years operating Flowers and Thyme, Harnish has volunteered for numerous projects in a quiet, humble manner, all the while promoting local attractions and encouraging guests to enjoy all that Lancaster County has to offer.

 

“The Legend Continues” program at Loxley’s Restaurant in Lancaster received the Community Spirit Award, which recognizes an individual or organization whose actions demonstrate service and responsiveness to the local community. The program has donated more than $100,000 to more than 40 different charities to date, including The Salvation Army Coats for Kids Campaign, Toys for Tots, and Water Street Ministries. The program is based affectionately upon Robin Hood folklore as a way to provide for those in need, and each month allows patrons to choose one of three charities to which five percent of their check (exclusive of alcohol) will be donated.

 

Initiated in 1989, the Hospitality Scholarship program is open to students pursuing a career in the tourism industry. Winners were selected based on academic achievement and enthusiasm for the industry.

 

The 2011 scholarship recipients (award amounts in parentheses) are:

 

Emily Ellis ($500) of Quarryville – and a graduate of Solanco High School – attends Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her focus is healthy cuisine and spa foods, with a dream to one day open her own café, and she has traveled as far away as Switzerland to learn the art of preparing cuisine.

 

Andrew Hershey ($1000) of Lancaster – and a graduate of Lampeter-Strasburg High School – will be entering the Pennsylvania College of Technology and has worked in the local food service industry since he was fourteen, including properties such as Dutch Wonderland and Rock Springs Lanes. He loves to express himself through food, and hopes to pursue a career in the culinary field.  

 

Adam Manacher ($1500) of Lancaster – and a graduate of Lancaster Country Day School – is a student at Cornell University, with prior restaurant internships in Lancaster and New York City. He plans to return to Lancaster County and open a restaurant that appeals to both tourists and year-round residents.

 

Kelsey Minnich ($500) of Quarryville – and a graduate of Solanco High School – attendsJohnson & Wales, majoring in Hotel Management with a concentration in Cruise Line Management. She hopes to work on a cruise line for at least two years before returning to Lancaster County.

 

Melquis Reyes ($2000) of Lancaster – and a graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School – attends East Stroudsburg University and is working towards opening his own restaurant one day.

 

Leah Riegel ($800) of Lititz – and a graduate of Warwick High School – attends Indiana University of Pennsylvania and aspires to open her own restaurant in Lancaster County with a “farm to table” focus. She will be completing her studies at IUP this summer, and will be moving on toward her Masters.

 

Rebecca Rudy ($500) of Lancaster – and a graduate of Lampeter-Strasburg High School – attends the Pennsylvania College of Technology and has been involved in travel and tourism for the past five years. When she graduates, she hopes to use her skills to pursue a career in a bakery.

 

Joshua Sensenig ($750) of Washington Boro – and a graduate of Penn Manor High School – attends York Technical Institute.  His career goal is to work in the culinary field as a chef and/or wine & spirit steward.  

 

Casey Stetler ($1500) of Lititz – and a graduate of Manheim Central High School – will be attending Penn State – Harrisburg, and hopes to eventually manage a hotel along a coastline.

 

Lancaster County is a wonderful blend of urban style and rural splendor, and the PA Dutch CVB is dedicated to promoting its many rich cultures, from the Amish to the arts. Travelers can take in our vibrant downtown city life – featuring galleries, great dining, specialty shops, and live music – or explore some of the surrounding towns and villages to get a sampling of the heritage, food, craftsmanship, and hands-on activities for which Lancaster is famous. Visit us at www.padutchcountry.com. Lancaster is also part of Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country Roads region, a true vacation destination where country meets city and the past lives side-by-side with the present.

Joel Cliff, Media Relations Manager
Phone: 717-735-0311
E-mail: jcliff@padutchcountry.com