One inidividual who has consistently worked to build a better community has been honored.
The TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce held the Boyertown Area Progress Dinner at La Massaria at Bella Vista Golf Course in Gilbertsville on Wednesday, Jan. 15, to reflect and celebrate on the area’s evolvement over the last year.
As a part of this event, Adrianne Blank of Building a Better Boyertown presented the James K. Boyer Quality of Life Award to Mayor Marianne Deery for her years of service and dedication to the Boyertown community.
According to the TriCounty Chamber of Commerece, each year the Boyertown Area Progress Dinner Committee selects an organization or person in the Boyertown area that has operations or employment within the Boyertown Area School District and has made business, civic or volunteer accomplishments with the Boyertown Area community. A recipient of the award is chosen for their contributions to the community.
Blank highlighted the many hats that Deery wears throughout each year. She can found at the carnival, the parade, wearing a baseball cap to cheer on the Bears or at Boyertown’s Oktoberfest sporting German attire. She also serves on many boards and committees such as the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles and Building a Better Boyertown-of which she is the founder. Marianne and her husband, Boyertown Borough Council President Frank Deery, also own and operate Twin Turrets Bed and Breakfast located downtown.
‘[Marianne is] passionate about revitalizing,’ said Blank. ‘When I can’t answer a question about Boyertown, I call Marianne. She’s the ‘heart of Boyertown.’
‘This is way over the top,’ said Deery. She shared the first encounter she had with J.K. Boyer-which came in the form of a letter he had written to her in response to an advertisement she had created as a high school student. The audience hung on every soft spoken word by Deery as she accepted an award that she had never anticipated receiving.
‘It is what it is, but Boyertown is what it is because of our forefathers and the multitude of volunteers that fill Boyertown with pride and integrity.’
Prior to the award presentation, a video made by Boyertown Area High School students was presented. This video highlighted the history and growth of several businesses in the Boyertown Area.
James K. Boyer is reportedly the great-great grandson of Henry Boyer, one of the founders of Boyertown.
