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�鶹ӰԺ Assistant Professor Jennifer Mapes, Ph.D., was honored with the Volunteer of the Year award by Main Street �鶹ӰԺ during the organization’s annual awards celebration. Main Street �鶹ӰԺ is a nonprofit organization focused on the revitalization of downtown �鶹ӰԺ and is an affiliate of the national Main Street program and the Heritage Ohio program.

Mapes, a faculty member in �鶹ӰԺ State’s Department of Geography and a member of Main Street �鶹ӰԺ’s design committee, received the award for creating kiosk and online maps in downtown �鶹ӰԺ.

“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 �鶹ӰԺ,” Mapes says. “It’s 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 �鶹ӰԺ.

“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 they’d like me to work with them to make the maps, and they said yes! We’ve 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 �鶹ӰԺ website, with the help of Nathaniel Lee, ’16, �鶹ӰԺ 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.

The Main Street �鶹ӰԺ 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 �鶹ӰԺ through the Adopt-A-Spot program, clean-up days and graffiti removal, bringing the Inside|Out Art Program to �鶹ӰԺ, hosting the Clydesdales and much more.

Other award recipients included:

• Venice Café: Small Business of the Year for hosting a multitude of Main Street �鶹ӰԺ events, including Santa’s 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 �鶹ӰԺ’s beginning.
• The �鶹ӰԺ Historical Society: Nonprofit of the Year for its gracious hosting of the annual awards event, strong leadership on the Main Street �鶹ӰԺ board of directors, and assistance with photography and composition of the historic panels on the downtown kiosk maps.
• Jim Bowling of the city of �鶹ӰԺ: The President’s 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 �鶹ӰԺ, the Chamber of Commerce, Dan Smith Community Park, �鶹ӰԺ Social Services, Brunch Bunch and more.

“It’s 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 �鶹ӰԺ.

Food and beverages were donated by several local businesses, including Belleria, Dave’s Cosmic Subs, Erie Street Kitchen, Fresco, GRAZERS, InstantWhip Foods, Newdle Bar, Mad Cap Brew Co. and Panini’s. Guests enjoyed the good company of supporters, volunteers and board members from the organization.