BROKEN BOW – In addition to the forest updates and regional vendors, the Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway’s (SJNSB) annual convention took the time to honor some of its most outstanding supporters over the past year, as well as announce the winners of its inaugural photo contest.
The award ceremony took place during the annual banquet and tapped four businesses and individuals with the honor. Byway president Linda Teahon made the award presentations.
This year, the byway’s honorees were spread all across the byway’s turf, and the individual awards stayed close to the One Box. Mike Evans of Broken Bow was handed the Friend of the Byway Award for his dedication through countless volunteer hours to The Barn’s tourism location in Broken Bow. The Frontline Employee Award was given to Joyce Richardson from Broken Bow’s Runza location for her friendly and helpful attitude toward her customers.
This year’s Byway Enhancement Award went to the Sandhills Chamber of Commerce in Hyannis; according to Teahon, the chamber has been a crucial contributor to the development of the SJNSB mobile app. Finally, Dunning’s newest business, the recently-opened Spur, received the Business Award. Owners James and Jodi Swisher were on hand to receive the award; Teahon touted the business as a much-needed oasis for food and fuel in the area.
Throughout the afternoon, attendees perused and voted for their nominations for the byway’s first photo contest. Well over 20 submissions were presented from all across the 272-mile byway, with Kathie Martindale of Brewster winning the daytime award and Nicole Louden winning the nighttime award from eight entries.
Other door prizes were awarded throughout the evening, the grand prize of which was a day trip along the Byway by Horizons Without Bounds of Cairo.
The SJNSB is now looking forward to and preparing for another tourism season, which should get underway in the coming months.
