Residents receive awards

for their activities for others.
By Samantha C. DePoy
Staff Writer

FARMINGTON – Rotarians around the world pride themselves on their motto – “Service above self.”

And on Thursday night, at the 5th Annual Franklin Business Service Awards dinner, held at the Granary, the Farmington Rotary honored with a banquet dinner and bagpiping bonanza four outstanding community members who do just that – put others before themselves.

Taking home the Entrepreneur Award, for someone who has grown a business over the last two years by coupling creativity, innovativeness and determination to improve the local economy, define workplace pride and contributing to the overall strength of business in Western Maine, was Steve and Rhonda Jones, of Farmington, owners of Steve’s Market in Dryden.

The couple has two daughters, Christen and Jenny, both students Mt. Blue High School.

“It’s very emotional,” said a stunned Steve Jones, clutching the award, a heavy statuette topped off with three golden stars and made by the same trophy company that creates the Oscar’s. “It’s a tremendous honor and it feels really good.”

In addition to their successes at the store, the couple also was instrumental in bringing the highly successful sled dog races to town during the Farmington-Wilton Chamber of Commerce’s WinterFest and cooked hundreds of meals at their home, at no charge, for a funeral that occurred during the Ice Storm of 1998.

“It’s very heartwarming. It caught me so off guard,” he went on to say. “It’s a privilege and an honor. It makes me feel good when I can help.”

Garnering the Senior Vocation Award, for a person who has shared their wisdom and leadership and making a long-term commitment to the community, was Clyde Ross, known for donning his derby hat, thick mustache and trademark earmuffs every December to portray famed Farmington inventor Chester Greenwood during the town’s annual Chester Greenwood Day.

A former schoolteacher, Ross is now the deputy fire chief for the Farmington Fire Department and a member of the Old Crow Indian Band.

“I am overwhelmed,” Ross said in his acceptance speech after the standing ovation that rocked the banquet room had died down. “I just want to say thank you to the town of Farmington. I wouldn’t give up one day of my service to this community because they’ve given it back to me.”

This year, the Rotary introduced a new award for a rising star in the community. Eighteen-year-old bagpiper Scott Walmer, of Farmington, who this Sunday will graduate in the top 10 of his class from Mt. Blue High School, won the inaugural award and was clearly taken aback by all the fuss.

“What a shock,” he admitted. “I get into things like piping, not for the recognition, but because it’s my passion. But, it’s kind of nice to get some recognition. It’s cool to know they know what I am doing, especially such an obscure thing as bagpiping, and they appreciate it. It means a lot to me. Bagpiping is my life, it’s shaped who I am.”

sdepoy@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link