Family members and the volunteer crew are pictured at the dedication of the Lucille Richard Pavilion at the Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum: Wayne Lessard, Stephen Richard, Rodney Richard Sr., Rodney Richard Jr., John Richard (not pictured), Richard Hill and Ron Haines.

Museum dedicates Lucille Richard Pavilion

RANGELEY – About 80 friends and family members gathered at the Rangeley Lakes Region Logging Museum on Aug. 4 to dedicate the new pavilion in honor of Lucille Haley Richard of Rangeley, who died Nov. 15, 2006.

One of the founders of the logging museum in 1979, Mrs. Richard worked tirelessly for the organization. She served as secretary, ran the Little Miss and Mister Wood Chip contest, started the Apple Festival in 2000 and the knits and crafts show and sale in 1997 and kept the museum programs running.

Ron Haines, museum vice president, opened the ceremony by welcoming all attending. The Right Rev. David Bowman, retired Episcopal bishop of Western New York, offered a prayer of thanks for the life and ministry of Mrs. Richard and blessed the pavilion sign, hoping that it might inspire others to pick up the mantle of service that Mrs. Richard left behind.

The pavilion sign and the sign for a pavilion bench, designated Lucille’s Place, were fastened into place by Mrs. Richard’s husband, Rodney Richard Sr., and their sons, Rodney Jr. of Pownal and John and Stephen of Rangeley.

The pavilion required more than 600 hours of work by a crew of volunteers: Ron Haines, designer; Josh Haley, Richard Hill, Wayne Lessard, Kailen Morin, Rodney Richard Sr., Rodney Richard Jr., Stephen Richard, Dan Robinson and Kristof Robinson.

M&H Logging and Construction, Terry Morgan, Chip Smith and Jim Williams Construction loaned equipment to the museum volunteers. While their husbands built the pavilion, Becky Hill and Klara Haines prepared the main museum building for the summer programs.

The pavilion has already served the museum. When a heavy downpour interrupted the July 28 logging festival, people ran for the pavilion’s shelter.

The logging museum has an exhibit, “Knit by Heart: The Art of Lucille Haley Richard,” which can be seen from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment by calling 864-5595.