2024 Educational Workshop, Annual Meeting & “DO 6” Awards

CommUNITY Through Outdoor Recreation Economies

Community leaders, groups, business owners, county commissioners, and state legislators joined the PA Route 6 Alliance in Honesdale on October 10th-11th to participate in the organization’s 2024 Educational Workshop, Annual Meeting & “Do 6” Awards presentation.  

During the Educational Workshop on Thursday, October 10th, participants learned how outdoor recreation can unite various communities, attract and retain residents, and engage community members. PA Humanities and Community Heart & Soul demonstrated their unique method of resident storytelling that leads to community engagement. During the panel discussion, representatives from the Lackawaxen River Trails, PA Humanities, Community Heart & Soul, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, PA Council on the Arts, DCNR, and DCED answered questions relating on how communities are connected through outdoor recreation economies.  

Following our morning session at 6th & River, we embarked on a Fall Foliage Excursion to enjoy the scenery and have lunch aboard the Stourbridge Line. Local historian Jeff Hiller provided insights into how the preservation of Honesdale’s locomotive heritage has contributed to the local economy. Attendees had free time to explore downtown Honesdale before joining local leaders for a walking tour to learn more about current projects happening in the area. The day ended with a fun networking reception at Runaway Train Brewery. 

The Annual Meeting and “DO 6” Awards took place on Friday, October 11th at 6th & River. Nathan Reigner, Director of Outdoor Recreation at DCNR, our Keynote Speaker, addressed statewide initiatives aimed at unifying, growing, and strengthening Pennsylvania’s outdoor industry to bring about economic, health, and conservation benefits across the Commonwealth. PA Humanities and Community Heart & Soul presented the impact of Action Plans within a community, and how outdoor recreation fits into it. The Alliance delivered a summary of this year’s accomplishments and next year’s goals and recognized a select six outstanding individuals and groups during the annual “Do 6″ awards ceremony. These individuals, organizations, businesses, and corporations embody the mission of the PA Route 6 Alliance, which is to protect, preserve, and enhance the scenic, cultural, historical, and recreational resources of Pennsylvania’s northern tier.” 

2024 “DO 6” AWARD WINNERS:
Artisan of The Year: Pop’s Culture Shoppe
Heritage Partnership: Fort Leboeuf Historical Society
Heritage Leadership: Jane Varcoe
Heritage Tourism: Milford Hospitality Group
Lifetime Achievement: Jason Krise
Heritage Community of the Year: Kane

The 2025 PA Route 6 Alliance Educational Workshop, Annual Meeting & “DO 6” Awards will be held in our 2024 Heritage Community of the Year, KANE! We look forward to returning to McKean County. Stay tuned for more details.

“DO 6 ” AWARDS

The PA Route 6 Alliance recognizes individuals, groups, projects and communities that exemplify and advance the Alliance’s mission of protecting, preserving and promoting the scenic, cultural, historic and recreational resources across the 11-county corridor of PA Route 6. Awards in the following categories are presented at the PA Route 6 Annual Meeting and “Do 6” Awards Program.

HERITAGE TOURISM AWARD

Presented to a business or project that furthers economic and tourism development while respecting the heritage and cultural resources of the PA Route 6 Corridor.

HERITAGE COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR

Presented to the designated Heritage Community, who are embracing their Heritage Tourism Work Plans and implementing worthwhile projects and showing impacts and results.