Barre honors five in 2009 Community Service Recognition night
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2009 Honorees |
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Published: February 14, 2009
2009 COMMUNITY SERVICE RECOGNITION NIGHT
A group of outstanding community volunteers will be honored Thursday when the Barre Elks Club hosts the 27th annual Community Service Recognition Night. The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with a social hour, cash bar and hors d'oeuvres. The recipients of this year's awards will be welcomed into the hall at 6:45 p.m. by piper Ian Gauthier, accompanied by representatives of the four Barre service clubs:
Altrusa, Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary. At 7 p.m. a dinner of roast turkey and all the trimmings will be served by members of the Spaulding High School Key Club (Kiwanis) and Interact (Rotary). Music will be furnished by Richard Carpenter and Irene Robertson.
Master of Ceremonies Paul Plante will be accompanied by Governor James Douglas as they present certificates to this year's honorees: William Doyle, J Guy Isabelle, Larry Richards, Alice Thurston, and the late John Hanna represented by his wife Diane. Tickets for the dinner are just $16 per person and may be purchased at the Aldrich Public Library or from service club members. Or call for reservations: 476-7550.
The Joint Service Clubs' Annual Community Service Recognition Night is unique to Barre. The dinner was first held in 1982 as a means of honoring individuals who have provided years of unsung service to the Barre area and its people, working long and hard behind the scenes for the betterment of Barre. Proceeds from the dinner benefit the Aldrich Library, and a copy of each honoree's community service commendation is kept in a set of permanent albums in the library's archives.
The Community Recognition Award Dinner is sponsored by the service clubs of Barre. From 1982 through 1992, the chairman of the event was Joseph B. Calcagni. Since that time the sponsoring clubs have taken turns chairing the event each year. This year's event has been planned by representatives from the four service clubs, including: Maria and Mia Beede of Altrusa; Jerome Bolkum of Kiwanis; Rick Theken from the Lions Club; and Carol Dawes and Karen Lane of Rotary. This year's club sponsor is the Altrusa Club.
This year's honorees are:
William Doyle
William "Bill" Doyle has been a fixture in central Vermont for over 40 years - as a professor of government and history at Johnson State College, as the senior senator in the Vermont legislature and as a presence at most every community event and function, no matter how large or small.
Bill was born in New York City, attended Princeton and Columbia, and received his doctorate in Education from Columbia in 1960. He has served on the faculty at Johnson State College since 1958, and as senator for Washington County since 1969. Bill and his wife Olene live in Montpelier. They are the parents of three adult children, Keith, Kelly and Lee.
As Washington County Senator, Bill works year-round, not just the 18 weeks of the regular legislative session. He began his well-known Town Meeting Day survey in 1969, and the data collected helps shape both local government and state-wide legislation.
He recently celebrated his golden anniversary as professor at Johnson State, and has every right to slow down a little - but he doesn't show any sign of doing so any time soon. In his classes at Johnson State, Dr. Doyle stresses involvement at the local level and beyond. Each year he leads a course called Observation of the Legislative Process, which requires students to spend two full weeks of 8-hour days sitting in on legislative committee meetings.
Bill doesn't just motivate his students to be involved politically, though - he also gets them out in the community. He recently began having students in his Vermont History class create a video of interviews with residents of one Vermont county, resulting in a unique and valuable oral history project. Bill plans to continue this project, adding a new county each time he teaches the class.
Professor Doyle is the author of The Vermont Political Tradition: And Those Who Helped Make It, a guide to the major developments in Vermont's political history which he has regularly revised. A frequent contributor to local newspapers, Bill writes about the history of state holidays, local events and the births of our communities.
Apart from his busy professional life as Senator, professor, and author, Bill's community service is limitless. He is currently a trustee at Woodbury College, a member of the Central Vermont Rotary Club, the Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Club, and the Montpelier Elks Club. He is a past member of the Montpelier Historical Society and the Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation.
One of his most memorable contributions to Barre occurred on October 2, 2005, with the celebration of Isaac Barre Day. Dr. Doyle had long admired Col. Barre (1726-1802), who was an ardent supporter of the "Sons of Liberty," the name Col. Barre gave to the patriots in his speech to Parliament opposing the Stamp Act of 1765. A highlight of the celebration was the presentation of copies of a handsome portrait of Col. Barre to the Mayor of Barre, the Town of Barre, and to the day's special guest, Massachusetts State Senator Stephen Brewer.
Bill's influence, interest and impact on the Barre area are extraordinary. He is central Vermont's staunchest supporter and advocate and can be found in the bleachers at Frost Heaves games, in the pit at Thunder Road, and at every local fundraiser for every local group. His dedication and commitment to the Barre Area, central Vermont and the State of Vermont make him a most beloved figure here and everywhere he goes, and he gives true meaning to the phrase, "community service!"
JOHN P. HANNA
John Hanna was born in River Falls, Wisconsin, attended school in New Jersey, where he graduated from Hanover Park High School, Class of 1965. His interest in art led him to the Art Students League of New York, where he initiated his work with the human figure and began his career in art.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin in River Falls in1972, he headed for Vermont to try his hand sculpting marble, then became involved in granite. He gained an apprenticeship at F.C. Gaylord Sculpture Studio in 1973 where he executed numerous special commissions, and spent the next ten years studying the sculpting business. In 1981, he married Diane Tousignant of Barre; theirs was a devoted marriage.
In 1984, he joined Gary Sassi at Celestial Memorials. From 2002 until he retired due to ill health in 2006, John worked as a sculptor at Rock of Ages Corporation in Graniteville. Suffering from ataxia, early-onset alzheimer's and diabetes, John passed away on December 12, 2008.
In 1993, John made the first of two trips to India as a volunteer carpenter at a mobile eye camp where indigenous tribespeople received cataract surgery and other medical treatments to restore their vision.
John Hanna exhibited his art continually beginning in 1965. He won first prize in sculpture at the All Vermont Show at Norwich University in 1974, and had a one man show at the Wood Art Gallery in Montpelier in 1976. John was instrumental in the joint exhibit "Granite Artists and Their Work" at the First Branch Gallery and Aldrich Public Library in 1978 and took part in the memorable group show "Currents in Stone" at the Barre Sculpture Studio, 1988.
John inspired the exhibition "Celebrating a Century of Granite Art" at the T.W. Wood Gallery & Art Center and Aldrich Public Library in 1989 and the library's annual exhibit "Art in Stone" from1995 to 1999. In 1998, he helped to develop "Mysteries in Stone: Beyond Public Art, an exhibition of contemporary sculpture" also a joint project of the TW Wood Gallery & Art Center and the Aldrich Library.
Ever generous with his time and blessed with boundless energy, John Hanna involved himself in numerous community ventures, ensuring their well-being through his tireless leadership.
As President of the Barre Historical Society, John was point person for the effort to preserve Barre's Old Labor Hall, now a National Historic Landmark. His steady good humor and common sense ensured success during the crucial phase of the project: securing title to the property and organizing volunteers to begin the restoration and return the building to its original purpose as a community gathering place.
At that time also, the Barre Historical Society was called upon to help preserve Barre's historic Nichols Block, now Studio Place Arts. Working with the team of artists who established SPA, John was a key advocate for its adaptive reuse as a center for the visual arts, blending classroom space, gallery and artists' studios.
John served on the board of SPA and was a regular participant in the annual Stone Show as well as a source of ideas and encouragement. In early January, 2009, a special exhibit of John's sculpture in the SPA Gallery drew hundreds of visitors who came to salute both John's artistry and his spirit.
Barre's granite artists live on in their works of sculpture, and John Hanna's beautiful carving of the Holy Family at St. Anne's Shrine on Isle la Motte is one of his finest. With his good friend Norm Akley, John was a major contributor of sculptural panels on the exterior of the Barre City Elementary and Middle School. His bas relief carvings of the Arabian and Morgan Horses, the Buffalo, and the Cheshire Cat are permanent examples of his artistry by which our community will long remember him.
J. GUY ISABELLE
For J. Guy Isabelle, involving oneself in the community is a civic responsibility. A native of Barre and a graduate of Spaulding High School, Guy's passion for giving back to the community is a model for every citizen. As the Executive Director of RSVP, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Guy takes seriously the idea that when you work for an organization that promotes service, you should serve others. "If you talk the talk you should walk the walk." Nobody does it better than Guy.
A veteran of 15 years on the local school board, Guy served 6 years on the Board of the Barre Town Middle and Elementary School, and 9 years on the Board of Spaulding High School. This year he has filed his petition for a seat on the Board of Barre Town School. Why does he do this? Guy believes that "Kids are our most important investment."
Early in his career, Guy served for many years on the Washington County Diversion Board. The group had a tremendous impact on him and helped form his outlook as a citizen and a volunteer. In the late 70s, he began volunteering as a basketball coach, later moving on to coaching soccer, baseball and more basketball as his children went through school. Coaching, he says, "is a good way to be with your children in a positive activity and at the same time have an opportunity to influence other kids." Guy's passion for basketball continues right up to the present, as he is a volunteer with the Spaulding High School Boys Junior Varsity team.
A long-time member of the Board of Civil Authority, Guy serves as a Justice of the Peace. He is politically active and has volunteered for many campaigns over the years. When his children were young, he taught Sunday School.
A volunteer with the original Barre Ethnic Heritage Festival ca. 1982, Guy became active in the Barre Home Coming Days and served two years as co-chair.
Guy has been appointed by two Governors to membership on the Vermont Commission on National and Community Service, where he has served since 1993. He has also been a member of the Governor's Office on Volunteers.
Guy's contribution to the community was recognized in the year 2000, when he received the Wendell Pelkey Award for service to the Town of Barre.
Guy and his wife Rita have been married for almost thirty years and have two children: JP, age 26 and currently a student at Vermont Law School, and Elizabeth, age 26, a graduate student at Suffolk University in Boston.
When time permits Guy, who is a lover British Cars, especially MGBs, likes to restore British automobiles and tend his vegetable and flower gardens.
J Guy Isabelle is the Executive Director of RSVP and Volunteer Center for Central Vermont and the Northeast Kingdom and The Vermont Senior Companion Program. He is a member of the Board of the National Association of RSVP Directors.
LAWRENCE ALLEN RICHARDS IV
Larry Richards is a junior at Spaulding High School and at the age of just 16, he already has a resume of volunteer activities that would make a person of any age proud.
Larry is an active member of S.A.F.E, Spaulding Action for the Environment. This year SAFE has sponsored a number of charitable activities, including a 30-hour fast during which roughly 20 participants gave up food on March 21-22. Students who fasted gathered sponsorships from fellow students, teachers, family and friends to raise funds for the purchase of malaria nets for Africa. A food drive was held at the end of the fast to aid local food pantries for those in need.
Green-Up Week is an annual activity for the members of SAFE who run Green Up Day for Barre City and turn it into a week instead of a day! The group distributes Green-Up rubbish bags, maps out areas to be cleaned and sends out teams along North Main Street.
Last June, the members of SAFE planted a Rain Garden/Bio-Retention Center next to Spaulding High School to re-route run-off rain away from the river. The plants were chosen that help to slow down the flow of the river and prevent it from overrunning its banks.
Free Rice Day was held December 23 to benefit refugees in Myanmar and elsewhere. On Free Rice Day, students reserved the computer labs so teachers and students could answer questions on Freerice.com. For each correct answer on the website, 10 grains of rice went to the World Food Organization.
Larry is also active in KEY CLUB, the Kiwanis Club's student affiliate. Club Advisor Stacey O'Neil, who is on the faculty of Spaulding High School, has helped students organize a busy year. Key Club members are working hard, putting on fundraisers every week to raise funds for a trip to Louisiana during spring break. During the trip, 6 students and 3 adults will work on a Habitat for Humanity project building houses in an area damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The fundraisers have included a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament December 7, which attracted 10 teams of three players plus spectators, Key Club members, family and friends. Prizes included tickets to games by the Frost Heaves! On December 14, Key Club hosted Bingo for over 35 people to raise funds for the trip. Other activities include a dance and candy sales.
Larry Richards is the founder and president of the Spaulding High School CHARITY CLUB, which is involved in human rights and charitable work. They help once a month to put on the Spaghetti Supper at Hedding Methodist Church. The supper is free to all. They have established an Anti-Racism Study Group which is working to smooth out the social tensions between groups at Spaulding High School. On December 13, members of the Charity Club attended the Human Rights Conference where they attended a variety of workshops.
Larry was born and raised in Barre, has attended Barre City and Barre Town schools and spent his kindergarten year at St. Monica School. While still in high school, Lawrence Richards has already made many contributions of time and energy to improve the lives of people here in Barre and as far away as Louisiana, Africa and Asia. We can all learn by his example.
ALICE THURSTON
"Alice is our main driver - she just doesn't say "no!" says Cathy Peller of the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Alice Thurston has been driving clients of the VABVI for more than 20 years, making sure that they get to their medical appointments, do their shopping and attend social functions. Detailed records go back only to 1996, but since that time, Alice has given over 7,340 hours of service as a driver.
Alice Thurston's clients love her and look forward to their visits with her on trips. Alice is easy-going, she gets along with all her clients, and they become friends. "Without Alice," says one, "I'd really be stuck!"
Alice Thurston was born in Williamstown and moved to Websterville when she was 3 years old. Her parents, Archie and Elsie Geake, farmed the Wilson Farm on what is now the Wilson Industrial Park and Barre Town Elementary School. Alice attended school in what is now the Barre Town Municipal Building and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1944. She attended hairdressing school, then married George Thurston and started a family. She and her husband ran a dairy farm in Orange for 50 years.
The Thurston's three children are grown now: daughter Cathy and her husband Mike Leith live in Williamstown, daughter Susan Wasinger and her husband Leon live in Wichita, Kansas, and son Timothy lives with his family in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he works with Bombardier Corporation, having started his career with the company at the plant in Websterville.
Alice served on the Orange Center School Board and was School Agent for the Lunch Program. During her tenure on the school board, the kitchen was added to the school so hot lunch could be provided to the students. During her children's school years, Alice and a friend started a 4H Club in Orange, and Alice kept up her membership in the Websterville Home Dem Club - now known as "Gals" - of which she has been a member for 50 years. She also serves as Treasurer for the Friendly Circle Home Dem Club in Orange.
Alice has invested her time and energy in improving the quality of life for so many of our Barre-area citizens, serving as a volunteer driver with the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired since 1987. Without transportation services, people with visual impairments would lack access to primary needs. They would also face social isolation. Alice's volunteer service promotes independence and social integration for this vulnerable population.
Although her husband always chose to drive a GMC Buick, Alice has been driving a Toyota Camry since 2006, and she has put over 75,000 miles on it! At 82, she has no plans to stop driving, but expects to continue putting miles on her car and getting clients to their appointments for years to come.
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