The Carbon County Education Association held its Biennial Friend of Education Dinner on Wednesday at the Blue Shamrock Golf Club in Palmerton.

Annette Boyle, president of the Carbon County Education Association, announced 2015 recipients for their support of education:Carbon County Education Association: Carbon County Environmental Education Center, and the Lehigh Gap Nature Center.Carbon Career & Technical Institute Education Association: BTM Inc.Jim Thorpe Education Association: Phyllis LienhardLehighton Area Education Association: Zimmerman's DairyPalmerton Area Education Association: Palmerton Area LibraryWeatherly Area Education Association: Weatherly PTABoyle said that since 1983, the environmental center in Summit Hill offers a wide assortment of environmental education programs for students and the general public.Susan Gallagher, chief naturalist, and Jeannie Carl, naturalist, accepted the award for the center.Gallagher said what the CCEEC does has changed over the years."We used to be a resource of information and a source of facts," Gallagher said. "The world has changed, and we've had to change with it."Gallagher said the award shows that the group's efforts haven't gone unnoticed.Boyle said that in 2002, the Lehigh Gap Nature Center purchased over 750 acres on the Kittatinny Ridge.She said that Dan Kunkle, executive director of the LGNC, and his staff have helped restore the land so that it now has trees, grass and woodlands.In Kunkle's absence, LGNC members Donna Gasser and Anne Zagarella accepted the award.Kevin Kuehner, an instructor at the Carbon Career & Technical Institute, presented the next award to Nancy Beers of BTM Inc., Jim Thorpe, which was honored by the Carbon Career & Technical Institute Education Association.Kuehner acknowledged the contributions made to the school by Nancy and her late husband, Dean Beers.Nancy Beers said her late husband was a graduate of CCTI, and that her business looks to help students as much as it can."This goes mostly to Dean, because the (CCTI) made him," Beers said.Dave Marino, vice president of the Carbon County Education Association, said Phyllis Lienhard of Jim Thorpe is "respected, loved and admired" by many.She was honored by the Jim Thorpe Education Association.Jamie Kunkel, an instructor in the Jim Thorpe School District, accompanied Lienhard to the podium.Kunkel said Lienhard "is an icon in our community."At present, Kunkel said Lienhard is involved with the Jim Thorpe Crime Watch and volunteers at school.Zimmerman's Dairy was honored by the Lehighton Area Education Association.Boyle said the family-owned and operated business is well-known for its products, especially its iced tea.Owners Thomas and Pearl Zimmerman accepted the award."It's nice to get a little acknowledgment," Thomas Zimmerman said. "You don't really expect anything."Michelle Muffley, secretary/treasurer of the Carbon County Education Association, presented the award to the Palmerton Area Library, which was honored by the Palmerton Area Education Association.Muffley said the library "truly is an asset to our community," and added that there are many services the library offers that benefit children in the community.Diane Danielson, director of the Palmerton Area Library, accepted the award."We do appreciate this, and we are so happy to be working with the school district," Danielson said.Danielson mentioned the library's Homework Helpers program, and noted that many of the helpers are retired teachers from the school district.Barbara Sipler, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association's Eastern Region, presented the final award to the Weatherly PTA on behalf of the Weatherly Area Education Association, praising the Weatherly PTA for the many activities they make possible for students in the school district.Sipler lauded the merits of Donnell Stump, Weatherly Area School District PTA President, who accepted the award.She thanked both the Weatherly Area Education Center and Carbon County Education Association for the distinction.Stump noted that the PTA is always looking for the next thing that will help provide quality education for the students, keep them safe, and keep them learning.