Chichester Grange Awards Night
Left to Right: Judy Brackett, Postal Worker; Lucille Noel,
Community Citizen; John Nardini, Outstanding Student; Chief Stewart
Yeaton, Epsom Fire & Rescue Department; Danielle Harvey, Educator;
Joshua Wright, Police Officer.
Chichester Grange held its eighth annual Community Awards Night on May
20th at the Grange/Town Hall. This program is held each year to honor
and thank those who serve their community. The usual awards are
firefighter, police officer, postal worker, educator, outstanding youth,
and community citizen. Recipients are chosen from Chichester, Epsom, and
Pittsfield, because Chichester Grange serves these three communities.
Grange Master Anne Boisvert began the meeting by explaining the use of
the gavel and giving a few facts about the Grange as an organization.
After a brief opening ceremony it was time to present awards. The first
award went to the Epsom Fire & Rescue Department for their
professionalism in 2008, a year which proved to be more challenging than
most. In addition to the normal duties of a town fire department Epsom
dealt with a July tornado, September flooding, and the December ice
storm, as well as a couple of severe structural fires and two accidents
of an unusual nature. Chief Stewart Yeaton accepted the plaque on behalf
of the entire department.
The Police Officer of the year went to Joshua Wright of the Chichester
Police Department. Josh has received training at the Police Academy as
an accident reconstructionist and is able to assist other officers in
reconstructing accident scenes.
The Educator of the Year was Danielle Harvey, who teaches fifth grade at
the Pittsfield Elementary School. Her colleague Dave Patsos filled in
for Principal Doug Kilmister by reading remarks and presenting the
award. A special guest was Mrs. Harvey’s eight-week-old daughter Morgan.
John Nardini was the recipient of the Outstanding Youth Award.
Challenging himself academically with honors and Advanced Placement
courses, he ranks in the top ten students of the senior class and is a
member of the National Honor Society. He also manages to find time to be
active in sports, do community service, and help with religious
education classes at his church.
This year it was the turn of the Epsom Post Office to choose a Postal
Worker to be honored. Judy Brackett is a mail carrier on Rural Route 4
in Chichester. Her customers enjoy her cheerfulness and dependability,
and she enjoys them as well. She has also served as the local union
steward for the past nine years.
The final award of the evening was presented to Lucille Noel as
Community Citizen. Lucille has served her town of Chichester as a
Library Trustee, a member of the Budget Committee, and an officer of the
Historical Society. She is also a strong supporter of the newly formed
Heritage Commission in Chichester. Her quiet voice and calm demeanor
make meetings go smoothly, and her willingness to do research and to
find ways to move ideas along is very beneficial to the town.
Following the close of the meeting, recipients posed for pictures, and
all enjoyed refreshments and a chance to visit. Many thanks go to Holly
MacCleery who played the piano for songs and for marching. The music
gave a special tone to the evening.