It was an evening filled with celebration.

Several borough residents were recognized Oct. 13 during the Coplay Town Watch awards program at Samuel Owens Restaurant.

Properties of Merit (POM) was among the awards given out by Coplay Borough Councilman Bill Leiner Jr. The program recognizes residents whose properties make their neighborhood and the community a nice place to live.

Faith and Samuel Crouthamel, 110 S. 10th St., were selected as the POM grand champions. The selection was made by votes from residents.

"We worked very hard together to make the property what it is today," Faith Crouthamel said.

Leiner said the finalists were chosen from a cross section of the borough. The other finalists were Jeffery and Cynthia Heffner, 118 S. Fourth St.; Robert and Barbara Wagner, 111 S. Fifth St,; Carmen Irizarry and John Rivera, 28 Saylor Drive; Joseph and Denise Heberling, 143 N. Ninth St.; Steven Smith, 48 N. Fifth St.; and Jane Pany, 117 Maple St.

The Coplay Town Watch Properties of Merit program took place from 2007 through 2009. It was dormant for two years before returning this year.

Initiated for the first time under the POM banner was the "Bamboo Award," for the most improved property in the borough. The recipient was Winifred Carpenter, whose yard was overgrown with bamboo. Town Watch volunteers cleaned up the yard.

"It is interesting to note that before awards, both our 2012 Volunteer of the Year Award and 2012 Mayor's Achievement Award recipients planned to participate in the volunteer effort to assist this senior citizen in need later this month. The spirit of volunteerism is alive and well in Coplay," Leiner said.

Beverly Miller was named Coplay Town Watch Volunteer of the Year. She is active as an officer and leader of the Coplay Athletic Club. She serves as vice president of the Coplay Democratic Club, treasurer for Coplay Town Watch and as the coordinator of the children's bike derby.

Leiner stated Miller joins a select group of borough residents who, over the years, were honored as Volunteer of the Year.

"Coplay is a community of volunteers and without volunteers the quality of life in Coplay would decrease," said Miller, who previously served on borough council.

She added there is always a need for more volunteers to serve in the borough.

"Surprised," Mike Miller said when his name was called as the recipient of the ninth annual Mayor's Achievement Award presented by Leiner, who is a former mayor.

The award has attracted some controversey from other members of council who believe the current mayor should be the only one giving out mayor's achievement awards. Leiner, however, said the award originated in 2001 when he held the office of mayor. The honor goes to a former borough elected official who continues to serve the community as a volunteer.

Miller is active with the Coplay Athletic Club, a longtime volunteer with American Legion and the Hokendauqua based American Legion post. He recently coordinated with the Legion to assist the widow of a deceased veteran.

Will Leiner III, Coplay Scholarship Fund Committee treasurer, presented $500 scholarships to James Asbury III and Christina Harrison for award winning essays on "What Local Government Means to Me." Asbury attends Marywood University and Harrison attends Wilkes University.