The publisher of a local newspaper which reports on children, Harmon also owns and operates a photography business and recently opened a martial arts studio next door to the newspaper office.

When work isn't calling, Harmon is involved in chamber activities or overseeing plans to host an annual movie night which draws hundreds of children and their families to Wendell Park each fall.

Those efforts were part of the reason Harmon was chosen the winner of the 2009 Wendell Mayor's Award.

Mayor Pro Tem Bill Connolly presented the award last Tuesday night before a crowded room of chamber members at the organization's annual membership banquet.

"She is exactly the kind of entrepreneur this town needs," Connolly said of Harmon. "This is what she enjoys."

Harmon was out of town last week and could not attend the banquet, but on Friday, she said she remains speechless that anyone would consider her for such an award.

"I remember the first time I ever saw one of those presentations and the person they were describing was involved in so many things and I remember thinking 'Who is this person who has done so many things for Wendell,'" Harmon said. The winner that year was Harold Broadwell who now serves as the town's mayor.

Harmon says she never took on a project with an eye toward winning an award.

"When I moved to Wendell 17 years ago, I never really thought this would be the town I would call home, but I won't ever live anywhere else," Harmon said.

Her businesses keep her plugged into the community in many ways. Her newspaper, The Total Connection, reports on school events across northern and eastern Wake County and even into Johnston County. Her photography business gets her to ball fields where she shoots team pictures in a host of sports.

The martial arts studio is a new enterprise, but it's one she says is growing in popularity.

Last week's banquet also included awards to local business people for their efforts to revitalize the town. Dr. Eric Clayton, who owns and operates Acts Medical Clinic, a new family medical practice on Wendell Boulevard, won the Wendell Revitalization Award

Sam Ivarra opened El Cerro's Mexican Bar and Grill during the past 12 months, breathing life back into a building that has had a long history as a restaurant.

Tuesday's ceremony also took a poignant turn when Terry Hodges paid tribute to the late Jackie Ammons.

Ammons, who died earlier this fall, was a longtime business owner in downtown Wendell, operating The Flower Shop on Main Street.

She was an aggressive advocate for Wendell community and an eager supporter of charitable causes of all kinds. Ammons family members were honored guests at the banquet.