HARDWICK – Nine area residents received Hardwick Humanitarian Awards with a sizeable contingent of friends, relatives and peers in attendance at the Hazen Union School Auditorium, Monday evening, Feb. 24.
photo by Ross Connelly
Each year Hardwick organizations, businesses, schools and others nominate people who are real humanitarians, to be recognized at a simple, no frills ceremony.
Jon Lussier served as master of ceremonies, welcoming everyone and introducing Sherry Lussier, Kiwanis Club President, who told those gathered she expected the evening to leave everyone’s hearts warmed.
Elizabeth (Wiz) Dow was introduced by Judy Nudd and Skip Duncan for the Hardwick Historical Society (HHS), who, after listing Dow’s many accomplishments in academia, as an author and being one of the founders of Vermont’s chapter of NOW (National Organization for Women), noted her contributions to HHS. They said, “During her tenure she has led the efforts . . . to categorize and archive all the holdings as well as digitize some 130 years of Hardwick newspapers. We appreciate all she has done and will do for preserving the history of Hardwick.”
Kristen Leahy, who was unable to attend because her daughter had a ski race the following day, was introduced by Town Manager David (Opie) Upson, who read from three email messages written by her coworkers and a town contractor proclaiming Leahy’s indefatigable spirit in helping residents address and recover from the tragedy of flooding these last several years.
Karen and Steve Collier were introduced by John Bellevance, accompanied by Paulette and David Colburn for the Hazen Union School Athletic Department. The Colliers have been scoring and keeping the time clock at Hazen basketball games for a combined total of 73 years; Karen with 48 of them for the varsity girls and 45 for the varsity boys; Steve for 25 handling the clock for both varsity teams. Their commitment to doing the work through bad weather, pregnancy and babies, while supporting students in Hardwick and elsewhere, was recognized as exceptional. “They are loyal, knowledgeable and serious about the game of basketball. They are respected by coaches, referees and players from all over the state . . . Thank you Karen and Steve for all you do for our kids, sports and town!” read the program.
Reeve Basom, who lives in Glover, was nominated by the Civic Standard and introduced by Rose Friedman, who recognized Basom for her simple acceptance of everyone she encounters, particularly students she works with as the Center for an Agricultural Economy’s (CAE) place-based education coordinator, collaborating on school-community partnerships.
Vaiva Velzis was nominated by the CAE and introduced by Bethany Dunbar and the aforementioned Basom. She was unable to attend and recognized as an “exceptional partner for the CAE’s work in Place-based Education as the community school coordinator at Hazen. “Grounded in a love for myth, play and the more-than-human world, Vaiva seeks to bring joy, curiosity and imagination into all they do,” said her presenters.
Bev O’Neil was recognized by Lee Ann Lee for the Hardwick Children’s Holiday Project. Lee said, “She has committed her adult life to making life better for area children.” She has spent “roughly 20 years as a volunteer with the Hardwick Children’s Holiday Project,.” bringing “patience and wisdom to the things she does, and we couldn’t do it without her.” Lee said 200 children had received gifts from the program this past season.
Heather Wright, was recognized by Hazen Union School with Audrey Grant and Walker Wright presenting her award. Heather is a reading interventionist at Hazen Union High School, working with students to help foster their love of reading. She goes above and beyond for students, encouraging them to be hard workers, said Grant. “After 34 years of teaching, she has created a name for herself as someone who loves all students, wants to highlight the goodness in them, and supports them on their education journey.”
Vanessa Fournier received her award from Hardwick Gazette Editor Paul Fixx, who recognized the many contributions Fournier has made to the paper and the community, saying “I’m not sure Vanessa herself fully understands her value to the paper . . . She is the eyes, the ears and even the voice of the paper. I very conservatively estimate that she has documented, with pictures, at least ten thousand events in the life of Hardwick and our neighboring communities.
Diane Cochran from South Walden, was nominated by the Hardwick Kiwanis Club and received her award from Audrey Billings. Billings noted Cochran’s many contributions, as a member of AWARE, work with Restorative Justice, as a notary, justice of the peace and trustee
chair of Walden Methodist Church. Cochran’s Corner Stop Inn Shop, on the corner of Routes 15 and Cabot Road, in the family home is a place where coffee and conversation are a daily part of her store,” said Billings. “She’s a trusted friend.”
The year’s and past award recipients include a who’s-who of the area’s most notable citizens. In closing, Jon Lussier suggested Hardwick is unique in many ways and not likely to run out of future prospects for the Hardwick Humanitarian Award.
The Civic Standard provided snacks and drinks for the awardees and community members during a time for conversation after the presentations.
The ceremony was recorded by HCTV and will be available soon at HCTV.us
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
