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Speaker For Annual Awards Dinner Announced

Each year, Chamber members gather to recognize and honor the people and businesses who have done great things to make the local business community better. This year’s event will take place on Wednesday, October 17th, National Chamber of Commerce Day, at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville.

The theme for 2018 is, “Feeding The Local Economy” and it will salute local food related businesses. The keynote speaker will be Barbara K. McKenna, owner and operator of Hyeholde , an upscale, fine-dining restaurant located in Moon Township, PA. Ms. McKenna is the daughter of the original builders and owners and her story is both inspiring and interesting.

Hyeholde was built in the 1930s using materials from several magnificent old barns. It sits today on four acres of gardens and winding stone paths. Inside, great waxed beams, slate floors, stained glass windows, tapestries and crackling fireplaces create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The food is American inspired with a French education and the chef’s also take advantage of the bounty produced by numerous local farms. The menu typically changes seasonally with some ingredients grown right on the property. A beehive is the latest addition so that fresh honey is always on hand.

Ms. McKenna is “hands on” owner who grows, picks and arranges most of the floral pieces throughout the restaurant. She has been known to get in her car and drive for several weeks, stopping at various restaurants and inns to observe and learn about what is both up-to-date and quaint in the gracious world of food and wine. She works very closely with her chef and approves both the menu and the product brought to her guests. On New Year’s Eve, she will pour you a complimentary glass of champagne and personally welcome you to share the celebration with her.  She also insists on top quality ingredients. On the Hyeholde property, she grows herbs and some vegetables, harvested daily for use in the dishes that are prepared.

Barbara has many contacts throughout the Pittsburgh area, and will occasionally arrange for “educational dinners,” bringing experts to talk about travel, food, wine, music, design and art. She has encouraged specialty nights – a Raclette tasting, picnics, grill nights on the patio, and most recently, “Suds In September,” an event featuring beers from a brewery near Hyeholde along with a menu to compliment them.

The 2018 Gold Sponsors of this important Chamber event include Franciscan University of Steubenville , Grae-Con Construction , Eastern Gateway Community College , The Ridgefield Group , Apollo Pro Cleaning & Restoration , Trinity Health System , WTOV9 , McKinley Carter, Omni Strategic Technologies and McKinley Architecture & Engineering .  Silver sponsors to date include New York Life – John Cucarese.

This year marks the 110th Annual Awards Dinner & Meeting of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $60 per person and include dinner, presentations and an after-dinner drink and dessert bar. Tables of eight may be reserved. St. Florian Hall in Wintersville is the location for this year’s meeting with cocktails beginning at 6 and dinner and presentations at 7. Nomination submissions and ticket purchases may be purchased below. The categories of this year’s awards are:

  • New or Emerging Business of the Year
  • Young Professional of the Year
  • Ambassador of the Year
  • Business of the Year
  • Lifetime Achievement

You may submit a nomination by clicking here . Purchase tickets by clicking here. There are also a limited number of sponsorships available for this event. Contact the chamber offices for more information at 740.282.6226.