ORRVILLE Chamber members cut loose, kicked off their Sunday shoes, and lost those COVID blues as they reassembled at the annual awards dinner and Celebration of Community.
A pleasant summer evening greeted guests on Thursday as they gathered outside Orrville High School for the Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce event that took a more laid-back approach this year.
Guests enjoyed grilled Gerber s chicken and other picnic sides from Buehler’s Ferris Food Truck. After dinner, they all headed inside for the awards presentation in the high school s performing arts center.
It was a welcome change to return in person following last year’s all-virtual event. The chamber still gave the option of attending the 2021 awards virtually, including a carry-out meal from Buehler’s in Orrville.
Maribeth Burns named 56th Paul L. Powell Orrville Citizen of the Year
ORRVILLE Look around the city and you can probably find a project that involved Maribeth Burns.
With more than 30 years experience with the J.M. Smucker Co., Burns said she s had the opportunity to work in many communities, and I always enjoy coming back to Wayne County.
It s no wonder she s this year’s Paul L. Powell Citizen of the Year award recipient.
“It’s hard to beat that collaborative spirit. It’s more about looking for solutions than focusing on obstacles,” she said of the area.
The Paul L. Powell Citizen of the Year Award honors those citizens who continue to make Orrville “The Promised Land,” as the award’s namesake would refer to the city in his weekly column, “Over the Fence,” in the Crescent-Courier. The paper recognized Powell as the first Citizen of the Year recipient upon his retirement in 1969, and named the award after him.