LIVERMORE — Muriel Bowerman was surprised to learn Friday afternoon, March 8, that the annual town report is dedicated to her this year.

Making the announcement was a bit challenging according to Select Board Chair Mark Chretien. When the reports would arrive wasn’t known, he noted. As Bowerman no longer drives, ride arrangements and a reason for coming to the town office had to be made, he said.

With her two sons living out of state, the ceremony was recorded on cell phones for them to watch. Bowerman also talked with son Mike and his wife Nancy, who live in Seattle, Washington, who then listened during the rest of the recognition.

Town Clerk Amanda Tyler read the dedication which notes in part, “Bowerman was born May 13, 1932, lived in Livermore Falls until moving to Livermore in 1978.”

She graduated from Livermore Falls High School, then went to college at University of Maine where she met her husband, Benjamin “Al” Bowerman, it continues. They were married in 1954. Their other son, Robert and his wife Robin live in West Falmouth, Massachusetts. Bowerman has five grandchildren and six great grandchildren, the dedication notes.

“Muriel is extremely active in her community and does so with so much pride and fulfillment in what she does,” the report states. In the early 1970s she was an active member of the school board, started helping with the Pollard Scholarship Committee, has been volunteering during voting for the last 45 years, and received the Spirit of America award in 2018, it notes.

Bowerman has been active with the Livermore/Livermore Falls Historical Society for 49 years, serving as president since 1975, the dedication continues. She is a member of General Federation of Women’s Club of Maine and was honored at the International Federation Women’s Club in 2019 for her volunteering, it states.

Her interests include sewing, cooking, rug hooking and painting, with some of her paintings found at the historical society, the report notes. “Muriel is beyond blessed and loved by so many, Ruth Gammon being one of her closest friends,” it continues. “Ruth believes “Muriel is the most organized, the greatest leader and the greatest town volunteer she has known.” This dedication is for an outstanding, lovely, dedicated, valuable resident to our community and we are so blessed to have her.”

“[The dedication] was very well deserved,” Tyler stated.

“It was very flattering,” Bowerman said. “I really appreciate that so much.”

“I am so proud you are my friend,” Ghislaine Bérubé stated. “I know you are a force to be reckoned with. The first day I moved in, when I moved here, Muriel showed up at my door. I think I had met her once. She already had a shopping bag of knitting to finish.”

“Had I known you would be here, I would have brought the next bag,” Bowerman said to laughter.

Having the report dedicated to her was an honor, she added.

“It was very well done,” Gary Desjardin said.

“I am proud of you mom, congratulations and thanks to everybody who helped put this together,” Mike stated. “Saying goodbye from cloudy, overcast Seattle.”

“It is beautiful, sunny in Livermore,” Bowerman replied.

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