Chichester Grange Awards Night 2018
Left to right: William Mitchell, Educator; Luke Lalmond,
Postal Worker; Holly MacCleery, Community Citizen; Kevin
O’Donnell, Firefighter/EMT; Sparky representing Dominick’s
Restaurant; Kyle Mitchell, Outstanding Youth.
Chichester Grange held its Annual Awards Night on Wednesday, May
2nd. About 45 family members and friends were in attendance to
support the honorees. Chichester Grange is pleased and proud to
honor the following individuals as representatives of the
services that make Chichester and the surrounding area such a
great place in which to live.
Kyle Mitchell, Outstanding Youth: After graduating from
Chichester Central School as eighth grade president and a
consistent High Honor Roll student, Kyle went on to distinguish
himself at Pembroke Academy where he is well on the way to
having perfect attendance for all four years. He has represented
his school at the Hugh O’Brien Leadership Conference (HOBY) and
been part of a Robotics Team which has gone to National
Conferences in Iowa and Kentucky. Active in Boy Scouting
since first grade, Kyle attained his Eagle Scout rank in June,
2017. He attended the St. Paul’s School Advanced Studies Program
last summer. In the fall he will attend WPI in Worcester, MA,
where he plans to study Robotics.
Kevin O’Donnell, Firefighter/EMT: Kevin joined the Chichester
Fire Department in 2006 as part of the Student Live-In Program.
Following his graduation in 2008, he moved to Concord but
continued to serve on the Chichester Fire Department. He married
a Chichester girl and now lives in Chichester with his wife and
baby daughter. In addition to a full-time job and his duties in
the Chichester Fire Department, he volunteers on Sundays from
January to June to coach Special Olympics Swimming. Last fall,
Kevin and his wife Brittany were nominated and honored with the
Volunteer Service Award at the Spirit of New Hampshire Awards.
Kevin is both a well-trained firefighter and an excellent
community citizen.
Dominick’s Pizza, Pasta and Things was recognized this year for
being a friendly and caring business that helps to make the town
of Chichester a destination rather than a pass-through on the
way to Concord or the Lakes Region. Because the restaurant is a
family business that was open on the night of the awards
program, “The Mayor of Dominick’s” was volunteered to accept the
award. Sparky, a regular customer for several years, was a good
sport about receiving the plaque to bring back to the
restaurant.
William Mitchell, Educator: This year it was the turn of
Pittsfield Middle High School to nominate an Educator of the
Year. William Mitchell has been a juried print maker in the
League of New Hampshire Craftsmen since 1991 and is a listed
artist in Who’s Who in America. He teaches Art at PMHS and has
supported the establishment of after school programs such as the
Art Club and the literary and art publication Loose Leaf
Magazine. Mr. Mitchell has facilitated Learning Studios with
students and colleagues, including Empty Bowls, which developed
and designed ceramic soup bowls, planned soup recipes, and held
a fundraiser to support the Pittsfield Food Pantry. Most
recently, his Learning Studio Panther Shirts, Print, and Design
has designed and printed t-shirts for school organizations.
Additionally, Mr. Mitchell has served as a chaperone for the Ski
and Snowboard Club.
Holly MacCleery, Grange Community Citizen: Holly has lived
in Chichester all her life, first with her parents Lucille and
Ernest Randall and then with Steve MacCleery, her husband of 41
years. As the granddaughter of Shirley Marden, she was involved
with Chichester’s Old Home Day during her growing-up years. As
an adult she has served her town by being Secretary to the
Selectmen & Planning Board for four years and Secretary to the
Board of Adjustment for thirty-three years. That is a lot of
meetings to attend and minutes to write, but Holly has
thoroughly enjoyed serving the town and its citizens. It was
with a heavy heart that she had to resign as Secretary to the
Board of Adjustment due to recent health issues. Thankfully, she
is still able to hold the position of School District Treasurer
and continue to serve her community in that capacity.
Luke Lalmond, Postal Worker: Luke started working for the
US Postal Service in 2015 in Salem, NH. as a Postal Service
Employee. He became a Part Time Flexible Clerk in
Pittsfield, NH, in 2017. Luke is a very dependable
employee and will come in to work when needed even if not
scheduled in advance. In addition to his clerical duties, he
helps out with the custodial work in the Pittsfield office. He
also works in other neighboring Post Offices. Everyone
that works with Luke really likes him. The customers ask
for him when he is not scheduled. Luke is young, but he
works hard and shows great promise. If he stays with the Postal
Service, he’s going to make a great Post Master someday.