Champions of the PA Wilds: Clinton County celebrates three 2026 PA Wilds Champion Award winners
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PA WILDS CENTER Pictured, from left, are Clinton County Commissioner Jim Russo, Melissa Dally (Tourism Director for Clinton County), award presenter Cindy Adams Dunn, award recipient Richard Wykoff, Congressman Glenn Thompson, state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz’s aide Ernest Greene, Sen. John Fetterman’s aide Elliot Copeland, PA Wilds Center Board member Elisha Pospisil and state Sen. Cris Dush’s aide Penny Pifer.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PA WILDS CENTER Pictured, from left, are PA Wilds Center Board member Rob Swales, Melissa Dally (Tourism Director for Clinton County), Sen. John Fetterman’s aide Elliot Copeland, Clinton County Commissioner Jim Russo, Michael Kramer, Alison Kramer, award recipients Christopher McCracken and Jennifer McCracken, Julie Brennan, state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz’s aide Ernest Greene, State Sen. Cris Dush’s aide Penny Pifer, Congressman Glenn Thompson and award presenter Rick Siger.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PA WILDS CENTER Pictured, from left, are PA Wilds Center Board member Rob Swales, Clinton County Commissioner Jim Russo, Melissa Dally (Tourism Director for Clinton County), state Sen. Cris Dush’s aide Penny Pifer, Sen. John Fetterman’s aide Elliot Copeland, Andrea Powers, award recipient Richard “Lee” Powers, award presenter LaKeshia Knarr, Congressman Glenn Thompson and state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz’s aide Ernest Greene.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PA WILDS CENTER Pictured, from left, are Clinton County Commissioner Jim Russo, Melissa Dally (Tourism Director for Clinton County), award presenter Cindy Adams Dunn, award recipient Richard Wykoff, Congressman Glenn Thompson, state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz’s aide Ernest Greene, Sen. John Fetterman’s aide Elliot Copeland, PA Wilds Center Board member Elisha Pospisil and state Sen. Cris Dush’s aide Penny Pifer.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PA WILDS CENTER Pictured, from left, are PA Wilds Center Board member Rob Swales, Melissa Dally (Tourism Director for Clinton County), Sen. John Fetterman’s aide Elliot Copeland, Clinton County Commissioner Jim Russo, Michael Kramer, Alison Kramer, award recipients Christopher McCracken and Jennifer McCracken, Julie Brennan, state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz’s aide Ernest Greene, State Sen. Cris Dush’s aide Penny Pifer, Congressman Glenn Thompson and award presenter Rick Siger.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PA WILDS CENTER Pictured, from left, are PA Wilds Center Board member Rob Swales, Clinton County Commissioner Jim Russo, Melissa Dally (Tourism Director for Clinton County), state Sen. Cris Dush’s aide Penny Pifer, Sen. John Fetterman’s aide Elliot Copeland, Andrea Powers, award recipient Richard “Lee” Powers, award presenter LaKeshia Knarr, Congressman Glenn Thompson and state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz’s aide Ernest Greene.
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LOCK HAVEN -- Clinton County was well represented at the 2026 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards, with three local businesses and community leaders receiving prestigious Champions of the PA Wilds Awards.
The annual event brought together approximately 200 business and community leaders from throughout the Pennsylvania Wilds to recognize individuals, businesses and organizations making a positive impact on the region's outdoor recreation economy, tourism and quality of life. This year's theme, "The Power of Partnerships," highlighted the importance of collaboration throughout the PA Wilds.
Clinton County's three award recipients were Pine Creek Seed Farm Corn Maze, Floating Feathers Brewing Company and Richard Wykoff.
Pine Creek Seed Farm Corn Maze in Jersey Shore received the 2026 PA Wilds Best Brand Ambassador Champion Award for its creative efforts to promote and celebrate the Pennsylvania Wilds.
During the 2025 corn maze season, Pine Creek Seed Farm incorporated iconic PA Wilds imagery into its maze, featuring shapes representing outdoor recreation and regional landmarks, including the PA Wilds elk logo, a hiker, fish, tent and Kinzua Bridge. Different landscapes were highlighted throughout the season, giving visitors an engaging way to experience the character of the region.
The annual event attracted approximately 10,000 visitors over five weekends and offered trolley rides, food and beverages, live music, entertainment, contests, a pumpkin patch and live animals. The event also gives back to the community, with proceeds donated to local groups that volunteer at the maze. More than $20,000 was donated in 2025 alone.
Floating Feathers Brewing Company of Mill Hall was honored with the 2026 PA Wilds Great Design Champion Award for its work to preserve and enhance local community character while embracing the principles of the PA Wilds Design Guide.
Richard "Lee" Powers and his family transformed a previously blighted property into a thriving business while preserving much of the building's historic character. Rather than demolishing the structure, the family retained its original frame and incorporated reclaimed wood, a live-edge bar, metal siding and repurposed electrical wire spools into the design.
The brewery also embraces its location along Fishing Creek. A grant from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission helped fund a riparian buffer along the creek bank to improve native brook trout habitat, while the business provides fishing access for customers, including a handicap-accessible area and a youth trout-fishing area.
The project demonstrates how thoughtful design, historic preservation, environmental stewardship and entrepreneurship can come together to strengthen a community.
Richard Wykoff, of Flemington, received the 2026 PA Wilds Outstanding Leader Champion Award for his longstanding contributions to outdoor recreation, tourism, history, arts and community development throughout Clinton County and the broader Pennsylvania Wilds.
Wykoff has played a key role in creating and expanding programs that document local history and folklore while increasing opportunities for outdoor tourism. As a Clinton County Arts Council board member, he was instrumental in creating the LH JAMS festival, which was named the PA Wilds Event of the Year in 2023.
A lifelong educator, Wykoff also leads the Clinton County Arts Council Summer Art Academy for youth. His work with the Greater Renovo Area Heritage Park has included research into plans for Tipple Park and potential National Historic Landmark status, as well as spearheading digital murals highlighting Renovo's railroad, World War II and lumber heritage.
His commitment to engaging young people through the arts, local history and technology reflects the spirit of the Outstanding Leader Award and demonstrates the important role community leadership plays in strengthening the PA Wilds.
The recognition of three Clinton County recipients at the 2026 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards showcases the variety of ways local businesses, organizations and individuals contribute to the region. From agricultural tourism and destination experiences to historic preservation, environmental stewardship, arts and community leadership, Pine Creek Seed Farm Corn Maze, Floating Feathers Brewing Company and Richard Wykoff each exemplify the partnerships and local pride that help make Clinton County an important part of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
The Clinton County Economic Partnership & Visitors Bureau extends its sincere appreciation to the PA Wilds Center for celebrating and highlighting the Clinton County region and the many people, businesses and organizations in our community who work to promote and strengthen the PA Wilds.
"These awards are a wonderful reflection of the passion, creativity and dedication found throughout Clinton County and the important role our community plays in showcasing all that the Pennsylvania Wilds has to offer," said Melissa Dally, Tourism Director for the Clinton County Economic Partnership & Visitors Bureau.