Lake Township Chamber honors 2025 award recipients at annual banquet

The Lake Township Chamber of Commerce honored the recipients of the 2025 Lake Chamber Awards on Feb. 24 during a banquet at the Hartville Kitchen. The annual event celebrates outstanding individuals and organizations nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of chamber members.

This year, the Stark County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, Visit Canton, partnered with the chamber to present two additional honors: the Destination Impact Award and the Tourism Ambassador Award. Visit Canton works with area chambers to promote tourism, strengthen regional branding and generate economic impact.

Visit Canton presented the Destination Impact Award to HARTVILLE/LAKE Community Development for implementation of the Heritage Gateway Project in historic downtown Hartville and the coordinated wayfinding signage system throughout the community. The award recognizes organizations whose efforts significantly enhance Stark County’s tourism landscape through destination development and placemaking initiatives.

The Heritage Gateway serves as both a visual landmark and symbolic entry point to downtown Hartville. Designed to create a strong sense of arrival, the project blends historic character with forward-looking investment. A community paver initiative allowed residents, families and businesses to purchase engraved bricks to help fund the project, fostering shared ownership and pride.

Chamber President Chip Weisel and board chairman Carl Witt accepted the award. Weisel noted that the gateway marker and signage system strengthen Hartville’s identity as a welcoming and connected destination.

The Tourism Ambassador Award was presented to Megan Wise of Best Bib and Tucker, who also serves as tourism director for the Lake Township Chamber of Commerce. The award honors individuals whose leadership, hospitality and dedication elevate the visitor experience.

Wise has been involved with Discover Hartville since its launch in 2010 and has served officially as tourism director since 2017. She leads storytelling, branding, social media and marketing efforts while serving as a resource for local businesses and event organizers. As a small business owner — she and her mother, Barb, own Best Bib and Tucker in downtown Hartville — Wise understands the daily commitment required to sustain local enterprises and works to build collaboration among shopkeepers.

“Our 2025 slate of award recipients makes evident the importance of history, longevity, innovation and dedication in a prosperous and thriving community,” Weisel said.

Kristina Kindler of Lake Center Christian School received the Educator of the Year Award. A sixth-grade teacher with nearly three decades of service in Christian education, Kindler holds degrees from Malone College and a TESOL endorsement from Malone University. She is known for integrating faith and academics, leading mission efforts and fostering creativity through initiatives such as the fifth- and sixth-grade drama club and school performances. Her classroom emphasizes collaboration, encouragement and student growth.

Kathy Butcher received the Community Impact Award for coordinating the Village of Hartville’s annual “An Evening in the Village” tree-lighting celebration. Owner of Hartville Mercantile, Butcher began volunteering with the event in 2008 and stepped in as coordinator in 2012 when the event’s future was uncertain. Since then, the volunteer-led celebration has grown into a holiday tradition drawing more than 2,000 visitors to downtown Hartville each December. Proceeds from the silent auction help fund the event and support local charitable organizations.

Christian Ramsburg, owner of the Hartville Elevator Co., was named Outstanding Young Professional. A Hartville native and 2012 Malone University graduate, Ramsburg purchased the elevator business in 2023. Since then, he has invested in significant upgrades, including a new roof, updated lighting, a modern point-of-sale system, e-commerce capabilities and improvements to the grain moving and storage system. A warehouse expansion and new grain bins are expected to position the business for continued growth. Ramsburg supports local schools, community events and historical organizations.

The Outstanding Business Professional Award went to Bill and Michelle Bakan of Maize Valley Winery & Craft Brewery. Located east of Hartville on state Route 619, the family-owned agritourism business began in the late 1990s as a roadside stand and corn maze and has grown to include a winery, craft brewery and retail market. Seasonal festivals, including lavender, sunflower and fall events, attract thousands of visitors annually. The business also supports local schools, veterans organizations and township initiatives.

Norm Wengerd, CEO of GentleBrook, received the Legacy Award for his lasting leadership and community impact. Since joining GentleBrook in 2008, Wengerd has stabilized and expanded the organization, tripling the number of individuals served and developing mission-driven enterprises such as the Hartville Thrift Shoppe, The Front Porch Café and GentleBrook Greenhouse and Farm. GentleBrook also expanded into senior care with The HomeStead of Hartville and plans to open The HomeStead of Coshocton this year.

The chamber also recognized corporate sponsors, event committee members and volunteers who contributed to the evening’s success.