More than 130 people attended the event, which featured an America250 theme focused on patriotism, community service and regional heritage.

Throughout the evening, the chamber presented awards recognizing leadership, entrepreneurship, volunteerism and community impact across the Juniata River Valley.

Award recipients included the Harpers Warriors Foundation, which received the Spirit of Service Award; Rick Smeltz, recipient of the Ambassador Award; and Little Genovia owners Megan Eby and Abby Burke, who received the Emerging Business Award.

Additional awards were presented to Trinity Plastics Inc. for Integrity in Business; Will Campbell for the Chamber Volunteer Award; Henderson-Bohn Funeral Home for Economic Investment; and Sherri Burns of Miller Cinemas for Community Impact.

Submitted photo
Award winners were: front, Fred Naylor of JBI, Kimberly Parkes of Stone House Market, Amber Foose-Miller of Harpers Warriors Foundation, Abby Burke of Little Genovia, Megan Eby of Little Genovia, Sherri Burns of Miller Cinemas, Sherri Bickert of The LUMINA Center, Kathy Hatch -Trinity Plastics Inc.; back, Nathan Parkes of Logan’s Tavern, Katherine Parkes of Logan’s Tavern, Matthew Parks of RE/MAX and Logan’s Tavern, Will Campbell of JVB Bank, April Henderson of Henderson-Bohn Funeral Home, Lucas Parkes of Logan’s Tavern, Eleanor Parkes of Logan’s Tavern, Evelyn Parkes of Logan’s Tavern. Missing from the photo: Jameson Parkes-Logan’s Tavern, Rick Smeltz, and Ben Rager-Lewistown Borough Director of Public Works.

Sherri Bickert of The LUMINA Center received the Community Visionary Award, while Ben Rager was recognized with the Preservation of the Juniata River Valley Award for work connected to the Lewistown Borough-African American Memorial Cemetery.

Fred Naylor of Juniata Business & Industry received the Chamber Legacy Award, and the Parkes family — representing Logan’s Tavern, Stone House Market and Matthew Parkes RE/MAX — was honored as Entrepreneur Family of the Year.

The chamber also celebrated the graduation of 17 participants from its 2025-26 Leadership Institute program, which focuses on leadership development, professional growth and community engagement throughout Mifflin and Juniata counties.

Graduates included Valerie Adams, Meagan Baumgardner, Nicole Bomberger, Eric Dakey, Austin Ferry, Zashelle Florentino, Wendy Garlock, Tyler Hutchinson, Karen Markley, Jason McMillen, Danelle Osborne, Rhoda Pauly, Jennifer Pennepacker, Tika Silks, Natalie Snyder, Karrie Weaver and Mike Weaver.

During the event, the chamber also recognized the Leadership Institute’s 2026 community service project completed in partnership with the Juniata County Historical Society at the Tuscarora Academy Museum.

The beautification project included landscaping improvements, interpretive signage highlighting local history and installation of a permanent engraved bench and planter.

Chamber Executive Director Rhonda Kelley said the America250 theme reflected the values of service, innovation and community pride represented by award recipients and graduates.

“It was an inspiring evening that celebrated not only individual achievement, but also the enduring spirit of the Juniata River Valley and our nation,” Kelley said.