The Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway held their annual awards banquet Saturday at the One Box Convention Center in Broken Bow.
Attendees enjoyed a dinner at Legends Grill, followed by President Linda Teahon introducing last year’s officers and directors. Teahon then presented the 2025 officers and directors for the Scenic Byway.
President Teahon and Board member Rick Maas then proceeded to hand out several awards.
The Frontline Friend of the Byway award was given to Jean Akins. Jean has volunteered many hours at the visitor center and has provided meals for the Byway Board when they have monthly meetings.
The Byway Enhancement Friend of the Byway award went to the Cowpoke Hotel in Thedford. This building will continue as a piece of the town’s history thanks to partners Kaycee Orr-Hoffman and Dixie Hoffman, contractor Roy Licking and many other members of the Thedford community and nearby.
The Business Friend of the Byway award was presented to Downey Well Company in Merna. Before the Barn opened as the byway visitor center, Downey drilled the well, installed the windmill and have since taken care of all maintenance without charge. Dave also was invaluable to the success of the byway’s sod house project.
Two people were honored with Individual Friend of the Byway awards.
Mike Adams and his family have been valuable contributors to the success of the SJNSB visitor center, contributing all the labor and some of the materials for the roof system of the sod house. Last spring, the Adams also restored the Brohman Outhouse and set it in place just west of the sod house, donating all the labor and materials.
Alan Bartels was also awarded a Friend of the Byway award for his recent book “100 things to do in the sandhills before you die”. The book highlights over 300 businesses, events and attractions from the sandhills. The success of the first book has prompted the publisher to ask Bartels to write another one on more Sandhills communities, which is scheduled to be released in April 2026.
The SJNSB’s vision is “to improve our rural economy by working cooperatively to enhance the visitor experience!”
