Local Business Owners Honored at Community Day

was extra special for two well-known sets of local business owners who were honored at the event.

Bob and Vicki Hero, owners of in Hellertown, and Nancy and Lynn Keck of in Lower Saucon Township were the recipients of this year's Outstanding Business Awards presented by the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce.

Hero Electric is a television, appliance and hobby supply business that has been located in downtown Hellertown since 1964, while Mary Ellen Convalescent Home is one of the oldest family-run businesses in the Saucon Valley, according to a press release issued by Community Day Committee Chair Craig Medei.

The assisted living facility on Leithsville Road has been in operation for more than 50 years, and has been owned and operated by the Kecks for two decades.

President of the local chamber Bob Knauss, in presenting the awards during a noontime ceremony in front of the  stage area, thanked both the Keck and Hero families for their commitment to the Saucon Valley business community .

A number of local politicians were also on hand to present them with proclamations recognizing their valuable contributions to the local economy, including U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-15), State Rep. Bob Freeman (D-136), Hellertown Borough Council President Phil Weber and Lower Saucon Township Councilwoman Priscilla deLeon.

Proclamations in honor of the Kecks and Heros were also read on behalf of U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and State Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-18). 

Dent, who commented that Community Day itself is a representation of "America as it ought to be," said the Saucon Valley is "blessed...to have people...who give so much of themselves."

Freeman agreed, and in thanking the Heros and the Kecks said "it's so nice to recognize two families who have made such a commitment to the Saucon Valley."

"We wish you the best and thank you for all you do for us," said deLeon, who presented proclamations on behalf of Lower Saucon Township Council.

After the awards and proclamations were all presented and read, both the Kecks and Heros had weighty stacks of leather-bound mementoes of the day to carry home with them.

"I'd like to thank all the residents and all the merchants of the Saucon Valley," said Bob Hero during brief remarks.

Nancy Keck, who was accompanied by her son, Lynn, at the event, expressed a similar sentiment when she took the microphone following the ceremony.

"I wish to thank everyone for their support and I appreciate these awards," she said.