Tom and Nancy Harrigan presented with Myrick Award for contributions to Milo and beyond
DOVER-FOXCROFT — A Milo couple who over the last half decade have given back in the form of the Three Rivers Kiwanis Building, the Harrigan Learning Center & Museum, and the Milo-Brownville & Points North Visitor Center, all located in their hometown’s Eastern Piscataquis Business Park, have been honored as the 16th recipients of the Warren “Pete” Myrick Award by the Executive Committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC). Tom and Nancy Harrigan were presented with the honor on Dec. 10 at The Commons at Central Hall during the PCEDC annual meeting.
Outgoing PCEDC President and Guilford Town Manager Tom Goulette said, “The Myrick Award for 2018, this is the 16th year of the award. Pete was a Guilford resident and a long-time history teacher who established the adult education program in SAD 4.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
2018 MYRICK AWARD RECIPIENTS — Tom and Nancy Harrigan of Milo, center, were presented with the 2018 Warren “Pete Myrick” Award for their service to the community during the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) annual meeting on Dec. 10 at The Commons at Central Hall in Dover-Foxcroft. Pictured with the Harrigans are, from left, PCEDC Executive Director Christopher Winstead, Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, incoming PCEDC President Denise Buzzelli, outgoing PCEDC President Tom Goulette, Rep. Norm Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft, and the evening’s guest speaker Maine Development Foundation President/CEO Yellow Light Breen.
“He was also a founder of the PCEDC, serving as president in 2001. He died in 2002 and this award was established to honor his legacy.”
Goulette explained Myrick Award criteria includes overall impact of the candidate’s accomplishments, the duration of the candidate’s engagement in community service activities, and the breadth of community involvement. The award is not given to recognize anyone solely for job performance, but seeks to acknowledge those who go above and beyond in donating their time to community service.
He said the Harrigans more than exemplify Myrick’s concern for and commitment to education, economic development, and civic leadership through their generosity in serving as the benefactors for the three buildings in Milo.
“We enjoy every moment of what we do,” Tom Harrigan said.
He said shortly after the Three Rivers Kiwanis Building opened cribbage games began. At first the participants did not talk much to one another but after only a few sessions this changed as the cribbage players quickly became friends. Harrigan said Boy Scouts also meet at the facility and now there needs to be multiple meetings due to the high number of boys taking part.
“We just put in two scroll signs so we can attract people from the main road into the business park to see what’s there,” he said about the newest development for the property.
“Thank you very much for the honor and thank you very much for attending and coming tonight,” Harrigan said.
The Harrigans were presented with a Legislative Sentiment from Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville and Rep. Norm Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft. “Tonight it seems to be what, the third time we’ve done this?,” Davis said as the Harrigans have been similarly honored at opening ceremonies for each of the buildings.
“A few years ago I stopped in, I had never met them before, and I was told you had a few rocks up in the attic,” Higgins said. “I thought you would have a few rocks up in the attic, but I found out you had rooms of rocks up in the attic and it was very impressive to see the materials there.”
The representative said Tom Harrigan mentioned he maybe should find a location for his lifetime collection of minerals, fossils, and other artifacts. “That place has been built, it is a wonderful place to visit and that was just the beginning of the commitment in addition to the work they did on the Kiwanis building and the visitor’s center and just their commitment to the town of Milo and the area.”
“Pete Myrick would be very proud, I taught in a room beside him for 16 years and I know his passion for Piscataquis County and the belief there are a lot of good people here,” Higgins said, himself being the 2016 Myrick Award recipient. “So for me it’s a truly prestigious award.”
Previous Myrick Award honorees are Owen Pratt, retired Dover-Foxcroft town manager (2003); Merlene Sanborn, director of the Penquis Higher Education Center (2004); Roger Merchant, Piscataquis County Cooperative Extension Service (2005); Edwin Treworgy, retired educator, member of the SAD 41 school board, and member of the Three Rivers Kiwanis in Milo (2006); Tracy Michaud Stutzman, executive director of the Maine Crafts Association (2007);
Sherry French, office manager for WDME Radio (2008); Rhonda Taylor of Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union (2009); John Simko, town manager of Greenville and former president of PCEDC (2010); Thelma Regan, executive director of Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative (2011); Bob and Barbara Moore, owners Bob’s Sugarhouse (2012); Dennis Green, selectboard member Brownville (2013); Richard “Dick” Brown, CEO, Charlotte White Center (2014); Ralph “Eddie” Lewis, a long-time volunteer in many Dover-Foxcroft endeavors (2015); Rep. Norm Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft whose time in Augusta continues decades of advocating for education and economic development (2016); and Sue Mackey Andrews of Dover-Foxcroft who has worked for and advocated on behalf of numerous programs (2017).
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
NEW PCEDC LOGO — In recognition of the organization’s 20th anniversary, a new logo for the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council was unveiled during the annual meeting on Dec. 10 in Dover-Foxcroft.