PARIS – The Community Service Award was presented to State Sen. Richard Bennett on Aug. 3 at West Paris Grange.

Lecturer Stanley Howe wrote, “As a community activist, Honorable Richard A. Bennett has served Oxford County and Western Maine in many capacities, including two terms in the Maine House and four terms in the Maine Senate, during which he also served for a time as senate president.

“For more than a dozen years he has worked hard to promote small business in our area as well as a healthy environment. His leadership roles in the establishment of the veterans home and the Western Maine University and Community College Center in the Oxford Hills are among his most important legacies of community service to this region.

“It is with great pleasure that Oxford Pomona Grange 2 confers its 2004 Community Service Award upon Sen. Richard A. Bennett of Norway for his dedication and commitment to the people of our region on this third day of August, 2004, at West Paris Grange 298.”

Bennett’s wife, Karen, and children, Abigail and Nathaniel, were present and a plaque was presented by his cousin, Pomona Master Olive Risko.

Bennett spoke on community service and mentioned that earlier in the year there was fear of a huge deficit in Maine and now there is a surplus as the goal posts have been moved.

The program continued with singing, the mystery march and 50/50 drawing won by Nina Grover. Resolutions of respect were read for Alma Munn, who died since the previous meeting.

Oxford Pomona will meet again on Sept. 7 at Lakeside Grange in Harrison when a 6:30 p.m. potluck supper will precede the 7:30 meeting, which will include installation of officers for the coming year.