The Blair County Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2026 award recipients.

They include Business of the Year, Primary Health Network; Small Business of the Year, Berry Solutions Group; Athena Award, Sister Paula DelGrosso; Donna D. Gority Servant Leadership Award, Travis Seymore; George Award, Heather Thomas; Joseph P. Rosenhamer Chamber Spirit Award, Toni White; and Judith A. Rossi Educator of the Year Award, Briana Shriver.

The awards will be presented at the 2026 Gala and Annual Celebration on April 28 at the Blair County Convention Center.

Chamber planning trip to Ecuador

The Blair County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Ketrow Kurtz Travel, is offering a new travel adventure for 2027.

The Ecuador and Galapagos Islands cruise will feature encounters with wildlife that are found nowhere else in the world. Tours will be led by naturalist guides in a small group experience. The trip also includes a five-day cruise aboard the La Pinta Yacht, in addition to luxury hotel stays and seamless transfers.

An informational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. March 18 at the Devorris Center for Business Development, 3900 Industrial Park Drive. There is no obligation or cost to attend. To register for the meeting, call the Chamber at 814-943-8151 or go to www.blairchamber.com.

Martial arts school in new location

The Blair School of Martial Arts is now located at 114 Hollidaysburg Plaza, Duncansville.

Blair School of Martial Arts is owned and operated by Certified Master Instructor Chelsi Tedeschi, a sixth degree black belt with more than 20 years of experience in Tang Soo Do. Class instruction focuses on traditional Tang Soo Do as its core program while teaching respect, integrity and character building. The school also offers classes in cardio/fitness kickboxing and team-building group self-defense private lessons. For more information go to www.blairschoolofmartialarts.com.

Bath and Body Works closes location

Bath and Body Works recently closed its store in the Logan Valley Mall.

The store was a prominent tenant for years, even after a massive fire in 1994 led to a multi-phase reconstruction of the mall through 1997.

Bath and Body Works continues to operate a store in Logan Town Centre, which opened in May 2022.

Home Genius Exteriors takes plunge

Three team members of Home Genius Exteriors, Altoona — Jordan Anderson, Cam Strohe and Angel Clarke-Paulakos — recently dove fearlessly into bone-chilling waters as participants in this year’s Polar Plunge, part of the Winter Games in support of Special Olympics Pennsylvania.

The Polar Plunge challenges swimmers to brave the icy waters of Canoe Creek Lake. Funds raised go directly to Special Olympics Pennsylvania, supporting vital programming for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Home Genius Exteriors’ participation reflects the company’s broader commitment to local service through Home Genius Cares, a community impact initiative focused on volunteerism, partnerships and hands-on support.