By Abigail W. Adams
Spirit of America award winners proudly display their certificates at the Spirit of America Awards ceremony in Wiscasset Tuesday, Nov. 18. The Spirit of America award winners were hand-selected by the municipalities in Lincoln County for their outstanding volunteer work. (Abigail Adams photo) |
Lincoln County kicked off its fifth annual Spirit of America awards ceremony with the largest crowd in its history Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the communications center in Wiscasset.
The awards ceremony honored 14 individuals, groups, and projects throughout Lincoln County for excellence in volunteerism, in addition to five municipalities for
promoting volunteerism in their communities.
“I’m always amazed at what people do,” Spirit of America Foundation President Terrence McCabe said. “We’re grateful that every municipality participated.”
The Spirit of America awards have been taking place since 1991. This year, approximately 100 towns across Maine participated in the program that recognizes and
celebrates the work that individuals do for their community, without expecting anything in return.
Lincoln County Administrator John O’Connell served as the master of ceremonies. The awards were handed out by County Commissioners Hamilton Meserve, William
Blodgett, and Mary Trescot, for each municipality in their districts.
The Westport Island Board of Selectmen passed a special resolution honoring the many contributions longtime Administrative Assistant Susan Partelow has made to the
town. While reading the official document, the entire board of selectmen surprised her with a bouquet of flowers and a hug. “It’s been an honor to work with all these people,”
Partelow said to the crowd.
Ruth Gardner, of Southport, was honored posthumously for her artwork and for providing Southport with its only public beach. Her grand-nephew, George Workman,
accepted the award in her honor.
Ralph Hilton, nominated by Alna for his service on the RSU 12 Board of Directors, said, “I was quite surprised [to be nominated] because I’m a real thorn in their
side.”
Leah Sample was honored in absentia by Boothbay Harbor for her work establishing a Meals on Wheels program in the town and working with the library and church.
The Patriotic Club of Bremen was selected for an award by Bremen for its many activities, including the completion of a project that began 100 years ago – completing
the statue of Commander Samuel Tucker, a Civil War soldier, and providing all of the children of Bremen interested in pursuing higher education a scholarship to help them on
their way.
Bob and Carol Leon were awarded the certificate from Edgecomb for their work with the Schmidt Preserve and the Teens to Trails program that they established, which
works with high school outing clubs to encourage teenagers to get outside. “We want to get an outing club in every high school,” Bob Leon said when accepting the award.
American Legion Post 54 was honored by Wiscasset for their work hanging flags along Route 1. The Whitefield Day Committee was honored for its work organizing
Whitefield Day, a special day of celebration in Whitefield designed to bring the community together.
Mary Walsh accepted the award given to the David Beale Kenyon Fund by Dresden. The memorial fund helped create The Kenyon Center for Arts and Literacy at the Dresden
Elementary School. Patti Whitten was honored in absentia by Damariscotta for the work she’s done as chair of the Damariscotta Cemetery Committee.
Donna Plummer, of South Bristol, was honored for her many hats in the community. “She always has volunteered, she always does volunteer, and probably always will
volunteer. And she’s my mom and I’m proud of her,” her son, Chris Plummer, said.
Paul Smeltzer was recognized by Waldoboro for his work as Waldoboro’s fire chief. “I’m honored to be part of the fire department and even more honored to lead them,”
Smeltzer said. “They’ve really set the bar for community service. This award belongs to the whole department.”
Richard McFarland was handed a plaque in addition to the Spirit of America award by Newcastle for his work in raising funds to hang flags along Main Street. “It was
a lot of work,” McFarland said. “But hopefully next year we can go into Nobleboro and finish Route 1.”
Donald Hewett was honored with an award from Somerville for his distinguished career and service that helped Somerville reincorporate as a town. Hewett served 33
years as a selectman, 30 years on the planning board, was a founding member of the fire department, and served 40 years as fire warden.
Westport Island was given a gold award for its work promoting volunteerism. Edgecomb, Wiscasset, Boothbay, and Southport all earned a silver Spirit of America award.
“To me, the awards are a symbol of Americanism,” McCabe said. “Since Colonial days we’ve been volunteering to do things. We’ve been talking over stonewalls and
picket fences and taking care of our own problems.”
