French is Valley Grange Citizen of the Year

By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer

GUILFORD — A woman who gives back in countless ways was honored by the Valley Grange with the 2016 Community Citizen of the Year honor. Family and friends of Guilford resident Sherry French gathered at the Grange Hall on the evening of May 20 to recognize French and all she does for others.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

COMMUNITY CITIZEN OF THE YEAR — Sherry French of Guilford was presented with the Valley Grange’s 2016 Community Citizen of the Year honor at the Grange Hall in Guilford on May 20, in recognition of her countless volunteer efforts in the region. French’s husband Jim, second from left, received the award in 2002. Pictured with Sherry and Jim French are Valley Grange Lecturer Walter Boomsma, left, and Valley Grange Master Jim Annis, right.

In presenting the award to French, Valley Grange Master Jim Annis said seemingly every time he picks up the newspaper he sees French volunteering somewhere in the region. Valley Grange Lecturer Walter Boomsma said French’s husband Jim was the 2002 Community Citizen of the Year recipient, and he said as a couple they are a huge asset to the area.

“I am here to accept not for myself but for everyone who’s helped me,” French said after being presented with a framed certificate. She mentioned how she has been involved with the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce for over a decade, served on the Dover-Foxcroft Shiretown Homecoming Committee for 18 years and spent an even longer period of time as a hospice volunteer.

French said she has called Stephen King to ask the author to fund the costs for a Tim Sample show at the Center Theatre to benefit Homecoming and “I have chased Dave Mallet down the street and told him to bring his guitar for a variety show, and he was there.” French said she has “become good friends with Joy Hollowell of WABI because I am there all the time,” promoting upcoming events in the region.

The Community Citizen of the Year said she has portrayed a number of different characters over the years, including Mrs. Claus during holiday parades. French said she has wrote over 600 letters “to those that did believe Santa would be there on Christmas Eve.”

“I didn’t do it alone, I did it with all the rest of these people who have been by my side,” French said, saying she calls these people her friends. “This award is not for me, this award is for all who I have worked with side by side.”

Boomsma said the Valley Grange honor goes to a recipient “who truly has their boots on the ground, they are working and not just writing checks.” He said he believes everyone in attendance would agree this description suits both Sherry and Jim French.

Toby Nelson of the Zone Radio Corporation gave the first of the evening’s testimonials. Nelson said he has worked with French for about 18 years and known her husband since childhood.

“There’s not anyone I know in this area that’s more deserving of this award,” Nelson said. He said if he calls the Zone Radio Corporation office in Dover-Foxcroft and French is not there, then he knows she is somewhere else in the community giving of her time.

“There is not a single person in this community who works harder than Sherry French and you deserve this more than anyone I know,” said Keri Foster, who has volunteered alongside French in various capacities over the years.

Barbara Moore said she has worked alongside French at many events. “When you came into my life that was the best thing that’s happened in a long time — I love you and want to acknowledge that,” Moore said.

French’s son Jerod Edes said his mother was always involved in his activities growing up and she has “a shadow that I’m very happy to stand in.”

Edes mentioned how he was at the chiropractor and upon mentioning who his mother is, several people instantly recognized his mother’s name. He said he will turn his TV on in the morning and there is his mother on the news promoting an event.

“You are a tireless worker, you are full of energy and you are the glue that pulls everything together,” said Brian Woodworth, the Valley Grange’s 2012 Community Citizen of the Year. “Everything Sherry’s involved in she puts in her all and thank you for everything you have done for the community.”

Sheila Bragg said she has served alongside French on the Homecoming Committee for 18 years. Bragg said French is always there to back her up and bounce ideas off of.

Bragg said French, unbeknownst to her, nominated her son Mason Merrill for WLBZ-2’s Teens Who Care Award. Bragg said French called her while she was driving to let her know Merrill was the youngest recipient in the history of the honor, and Bragg said had to pull over because they both were overcome with emotion.

Jane Conroy said she first met French through hospice volunteering and she described French as the kind of person you can not see for several weeks and upon meeting up again the conversation picks up right where it was left off. Conroy said French regularly picks up groceries for an elderly neighbor and “she does it because she cares.”

Moore said, “We all know what her license plate says, YUPICAN,” as Moore thinks this sums French up.

Jim French concluded the program by saying if his wife is not at home or at work then “she’s doing community service in the community.”