Dec. 2--TAMAQUA -- The Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau recognized those who promote the tourism industry in Schuylkill County during a holiday party Monday at The Restaurant at the Station.

Last week, the bureau announced the recipients of the ninth annual Tourism Recognition Awards that acknowledge citizens, businesses, community organizations and government entities that have done much to further the county's thriving and growing tourism industry.

According to Mark T. Major, bureau executive director, a bureau subcommittee reviewed a number of nominations for each category.

"Award recipients represent many significant contributions to recreation and tourism, which is Pennsylvania's second largest industry," Major said.

After dinner, tourism board member Patrick M. "Porcupine Pat" McKinney introduced the award winners.

Teddi Cunningham, Minersville, was this year's Tourism Volunteer Award winner.

Cunningham was the creative force behind the historical walking tours that were developed for eight communities and ran for nine years. The tours were initially fundraising events for Meals On Wheels, but can now be used by each town to draw visitors.

"I am totally humbled by this. I had the idea but I want to thank all the people that worked to make it possible," Cunningham said. "I'm a transplant here and I saw all this neat stuff in different communities, and my idea was to get the people of Pine Grove to go to Mahanoy City or Ashland to see what these communities have to offer."

Mary Linkevich, Tamaqua, won the Tourism Employee Award.

The public information specialist at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Drehersville, she ensures that the word gets out about the site's programs.

Minersville Spirit Day, Minersville, was honored as Tourism Business/Organization winner.

In its 14th year, the Minersville Spirit Day instills a sense of community pride in the heart of the coal region. Many activities are available for people of all ages that are fun and educational, yet bring out the best of Minersville.

Accepting the award on behalf of the Minersville Business and Professional Association was Anna Kubilus, Spirit Day organizer.

"She is the spark plug, the grease that makes things happen, the WD40," McKinney said of Kubilus.

The Government Partner Award went to Lasting Legacy for Pottsville.

Lasting Legacy has developed the Yuengling Park and Gardens, Joulwan Park and soon the Union Station Project, through financial contributions and the group's dedication.

"Whether you know it or not, you are the people who bring business into our hotels," Noreen O'Boyle, tourism board president and owner of the Holiday Inn Express near the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville, said of the award winners.

The mission of the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau is to promote tourism, encourage new tourism development, enhance the image of the county and significantly increase the number of visitors.

Past Winners include amateur photographer Ed Brennan, Schuylkill Haven; Robert Evanchalk, parks and recreation supervisor at the Schuylkill Conservation District; Tamaqua Save Our Station Inc.; Upper Schuylkill Downtowns; The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society; and Laurie Goodrich, Orwigsburg, a senior monitoring biologist at the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.

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