蹤獲扦 Assistant Professor Jennifer Mapes, Ph.D., was honored with the Volunteer of the Year award by Main Street 蹤獲扦 during the organizations annual awards celebration. Main Street 蹤獲扦 is a nonprofit organization focused on the revitalization of downtown 蹤獲扦 and is an affiliate of the national Main Street program and the Heritage Ohio program.
Mapes, a faculty member in 蹤獲扦 States Department of Geography and a member of Main Street 蹤獲扦s design committee, received the award for creating kiosk and online maps in downtown 蹤獲扦.
I was really flattered to be recognized by an organization that I respect so much and has played such an important role in the revitalization of downtown 蹤獲扦, Mapes says. Its been a great collaboration, and I look forward to continuing to work with them on many future projects.
Mapes says that she got involved with creating the downtown kiosks and maps because she has been a fan of the National Main Street organization for as long as she had been studying small towns, and was impressed with the work done by Main Street 蹤獲扦.
I was excited to see that they were working with the city to install map kiosks around downtown, Mapes says. They sat empty for a few weeks, and so I emailed them asking if theyd like me to work with them to make the maps, and they said yes! Weve been working together since then to create these maps and update them annually.
Mapes also is helping to make smaller locator maps around town; creating an online map for the Main Street 蹤獲扦 website, with the help of Nathaniel Lee, 16, 蹤獲扦 State alumnus and current master's student in the Department of Geography; and creating maps for a variety of downtown festivals, including the upcoming Potterfest.
At 蹤獲扦 State, Mapes teaches a Master in Geographic Information Systems class in Cartographic Design and is currently authoring a book with Routledge titled The New American Small Town which will include information about 蹤獲扦s downtown revitalization.
The Main Street 蹤獲扦 awards ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of the organization in 2016, including the successful Art and Wine Festival, receiving three awards at the annual Heritage Ohio conference, beautifying downtown 蹤獲扦 through the Adopt-A-Spot program, clean-up days and graffiti removal, bringing the Inside|Out Art Program to 蹤獲扦, hosting the Clydesdales and much more.
Other award recipients included:
- Venice Caf矇: Small Business of the Year for hosting a multitude of Main Street 蹤獲扦 events, including Santas Tavern Trek, a celebratory happy hour after the annual Heritage Ohio evaluation, and a half-day marketing strategy session for the group.
- Portage Community Bank: Large Business of the Year, in honor of its consistent board participation and strong financial support since Main Street 蹤獲扦s beginning.
- The 蹤獲扦 Historical Society: Nonprofit of the Year for its gracious hosting of the annual awards event, strong leadership on the Main Street 蹤獲扦 board of directors, and assistance with photography and composition of the historic panels on the downtown kiosk maps.
- Jim Bowling of the city of 蹤獲扦: The Presidents Award for his unwavering support, responsiveness and willingness to connect the right people to make things happen, and his key role in the creation of the Dan Smith Community Park.
- Michelle Hartman, vice president of operations for the Burbick Companies/Acorn Alley: The Ron Burbick Award for volunteering to help a variety of nonprofit ventures, including Main Street 蹤獲扦, the Chamber of Commerce, Dan Smith Community Park, 蹤獲扦 Social Services, Brunch Bunch and more.
Its more of a social gathering in a casual atmosphere, so we can thank our people for all they do for our organization throughout the year, says Heather Malarcik, executive director for Main Street 蹤獲扦.
Food and beverages were donated by several local businesses, including Belleria, Daves Cosmic Subs, Erie Street Kitchen, Fresco, GRAZERS, InstantWhip Foods, Newdle Bar, Mad Cap Brew Co. and Paninis. Guests enjoyed the good company of supporters, volunteers and board members from the organization.