Butler Downtown's outgoing president, Audrianna Bly, congratulates the new president, Tim Hawk, at Butler Downtown's annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

With temperatures dropping and the year coming steadily to a close, Butler Downtown, alongside residents, businesses and officials that represent Butler, took an evening to gather to recognize community accomplishments.

Dozens met at the Penn Theater on Butler’s Main Street on Wednesday, Nov. 5, to recap the year of accomplishments from both Butler Downtown itself as well as its community partners.

As part of the celebration, Butler Downtown chose a five individuals and businesses to recognize with special awards.

For 2025, Jen Hundertmark was recognized as volunteer of the year, Johnny’s Distillery as the small business of the year. Joe Gray and his numerous businesses received the economic impact award. Butler Downtown also gave special recognition to the Masonic Victory Lodge No. 272.

Johny's Distillery was awarded “Small Business of the Year” at Butler Downtown's annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday Nov 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Hundertmark said during her acceptance speech that she is glad she decided to join Butler Downtown after retiring.

“When you’re retired, you’re not held accountable to show up to anything. It becomes very obvious what’s a good fit and where you want to devote your time and energy,” Hundertmark said. “So, I started helping with Butler Downtown here and there a few years ago. Before I knew it, I was attending everything and having fun. Why wouldn’t you do that?”

Jordan Grady (left) and Audrianna Bly (right) present Butler Downtown's volunteer of the year, Jen Hundertmark a plaque at the annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday Nov 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

A new award for food truck of the year was given to High on the Hog, a Westmoreland County based business that received the most votes during Butler Downtown’s Foodie Fridays events.

“Winning this award really shows just how awesome their food is, and when you keep community in your mission and vision, you can never go wrong,” Jordan Grady, Butler County Chamber of Commerce president and the event’s emcee, said.

Jordan Grady served as emcee for Butler Downtown's annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday Nov 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Audrianna Bly, the current president of the organization, also gave a short speech to recount her time as president before vice president Tim Hawk takes over.

“There have been plenty of long days, even rainouts, and moments where I’ve thought about why I signed up for this again. But then I’ll walk down Main Street and see people filling the sidewalks during the event, laughing and just having a great time,” she said.

Hawk also gave brief remarks, saying that he would do the best he possibly can to fill Bly’s shoes.

“I have a feeling I might stumble a little bit, but I am confident in the amount of other volunteers, of other people who I know are going to be there to bolster the organization, our success and our continued growth,” he said.

Audrianna Bly talks about the board of directors for Butler Downtown' at their annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday Nov 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Jordan Grady congratulates Butler Downtown's volunteer of the year, Jen Hundertmark at the annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday Nov 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Audrianna Bly talks about the board of directors for Butler Downtown' at their annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday Nov 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Butler Downtown held their annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday Nov 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Jordan Grady hosted Butler Downtown's annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday Nov 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Butler Downtown's new president of the board, Tim Hawks, speaks at Butler Downtown' at their annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday Nov 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Sherri Eisler accepts the award for “Small Business of the Year” for Johny's Distillery at Butler Downtown's annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday Nov 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Newly reelected mayor of Butler, Bob Dandoy, greets guests at Butler Downtown's annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday Nov 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Sherry Lynn accepts the award for “Small Business of the Year” for Johny's Distillery at Butler Downtown's annual awards ceremony honoring community excellence at the Penn Theater in Butler on Wednesday Nov 5. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle