The Ravenna Chamber of Commerce honored several people and businesses at its 2022 Raven Award banquet on June 1 at the Ravenna High School auditorium.
– Lifetime Achievement Award: Terry Montz
– 2021 Citizen of the Year Award: Anne Marie Noble
– 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award: Debbie Sunderland
Montz is the owner of Innovative Elegance, a design and event planning company. Anne Marie Noble is the director of the Haven of Portage County, a shelter that became the second in the county serving the general needs of the homeless population. And Debbie Sunderland works with a number of local organizations, including as president of the Portage County Historical Society.
The Chamber also recognized new businesses that opened in Ravenna in 2021: Beautiful You By Denise, KMI Wellness, Cricket Wireless, Black Sheep Tattoos, Ravenna Service Experts, White Lotus Kung Fu, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer Realty, and Serene Tranquility & Spa.
New renovations in 2021 include the Portage County Courthouse, Riddle Block 9 Airbnb, Ace Products and Consulting, UH Portage Medical Center’s Food for Life, The Corner Station and Longmeadow Care Center.
The Chamber’s 2021 New Construction Raven Award went to Coia Sales. Gene Mills was the 2021 Honorary Way recipient.
Ravenna High School graduates Christian Neff, Julia Fedor and Zack Myers received the Chamber’s 2022 scholarships. RHS’ inaugural Honors Civics class, led by teacher Rick Sullivan, earned recognition for developing a self-guided tour of the city’s building history.
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.