Friday, May 9
GUILFORD -- Tuesday marks the 17th time the Broad Brook Grange and Guilford Central School will present their annual Community Recognition Evening.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the Grange Hall in Guilford Center beginning at 7 p.m.

According to event organizer Don McLean, the evening will begin with a musical prelude by the accordionist Bob Tucker and the presentation of the flag by Scout Troop 403. Music students from Guilford Central School will also perform under the direction of Mary Harvey-Bandish.

Additionally, several students will read essays about their community service activities during the past year. McLean said in the past, the school and the grange used to have separate award ceremonies up until a few years ago when the two groups decided to merge their awards into a single night of community recognition.

"We now have a combination of honoring community adults and Guilford school students as well," he said. The music program from the students gives them an opportunity to showcase their tunes to the community, McLean added.

Also during the event, three members of the Grange will receive longevity awards for

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their time served in the organization. McLean said one award will be presented to a member with 20 years, one with 25 and one with 30 years in the Grange.

It is nice to honor Grange members at a community event instead of a regular meeting so regular residents can get to see the work the grange does, he said.

Highlighting the evening is the Grange's presentation of the Guilford Community Citizen of the Year Award, which is always kept a surprise until the very last moment.

"We try to keep it a secret from that person," said McLean, noting the Grange often has to come up with innovative excuses to get the honoree to attend.

"Every year we seem to come up with somebody," he said. "There seems to be a never-ending supply."

The Citizen of the Year award -- part of the National Grange program at local granges throughout the country -- is given to a non-Grange member of the community in recognition of many years of service to the town and its residents.

In past years, the Grange has honored couples and organizations, such as the volunteer fire department, said McLean.

Last year, the 16th annual award was given to longtime resident Herb Meyer, the town's emergency management coordinator, former chief of police in Vernon and Korean War veteran. Meyer also serves on a number of local boards and has been a hunting education instructor for four decades.

Other recent honorees include Ken and Cal Heile and Joan and Eric Barradale.

Chris Garofolo can be reached at cgarofolo@reformer.com or 802-254-2311 ext. 275.