Lyme Citizen of the Year
About the Citizen of the Year Award
In 1999, a gift from Rachel Miller created the Lyme Citizen of the Year award, to be bestowed on someone who has provided outstanding service to the Town of Lyme. This award honors those who have had an impact in our town in a variety of ways. It is not a rite of passage, one that is given each year to the next person in line. Rather, it is an award that is earned by members of our town who give their time in government, organizations, and service, working in a multitude of ways to make Lyme the engaging, dynamic, and caring community that it is. These ordinary people doing extraordinary work not only make this town thrive, they also inspire others through their dedication and often quiet service.
The award would not be possible without the active engagement of those making the nominations. It’s a very simple, just click the button below and fill out the form which asks for the reason you feel your nominee deserves the award, a few details about the nature of their involvement in town life, and suggestions about who else might know about their service. Simple!
We’re accepting nominations now through January 31st.
You can also mail your nomination to:
Joan Barthold
121 Pinnacle Rd
Lyme, NH 03768
Thank you! With your help, we look forward to honoring citizens who inspire others through their dedication and service.
Mike Mundy and Aaron Rich - 2023
Each year we receive nominations for many people deserving of the award, however this year the decision was especially hard. This year, we had the rare privilege to select two Citizens of the Year, each earning the award for different reasons, and with a common purpose: to serve our town and its citizens with their unique gifts. Each possesses unique strengths that have helped to support this community in different ways, and each has dedicated his time to various organizations throughout the years. However, what is notable for these recipients is not only what each has accomplished on his own, but also the synergy between them that has led to extraordinary accomplishments for our town.
Our first recipient is described as a leader, a listener, and a selfless doer. He has lived in Lyme with his wife and 3 children for over a quarter century since transplanting from NY and starting a business promoting health in the Upper Valley. Shortly after his arrival, he joined the Lyme Volunteer Fire Department where he has served for the past 20 years, becoming Deputy Chief and then Chief from 2016 to 2022. With frequent major storms and the overlay of COVID, this individual has worked -primarily behind the scenes- ensuring the smooth functioning of Lyme's Emergency Operations Center. He has also been instrumental in many activities at Post Pond, including preparing for the opening of the Town Recreation area getting docks in, as well as training the lifeguards through safety drills and emergency simulations. He has been an active volunteer in youth sports/activities over the years. He truly exemplifies the kind of community commitment that is at the core of the "Citizen of the Year" award.
Our second recipient has spent much of his life in service to the town as a 6th generation Lyme resident. Born in the Upper Valley, he attended school in Lyme and was a camp counselor at the Post Pond Program. After graduating from UNH in 2001, he returned to Lyme and served on the Conservation Committee in 2003 as well as joining the Volunteer Fire Department and FAST Squad, now Lyme EMS. He and his wife live in Lyme and have raised their 3 children here. He has been involved in youth sports activities including basketball coaching. Many individuals remember when his quick action and skill saved a young student who suffered a cardiac arrest on the basketball court, and he subsequently led efforts at the Lyme School- “Stayin’ Alive”- to train middle school students in CPR. He has been key in fundraising efforts within the town and has been a Lyme Foundation board member. He has organized and assisted with numerous community events, going above and beyond to help individuals in the Lyme community. His newest role, that of TV star and “fire safety ambassador”, came about when WCAX TV covered an early spring brush fire a year ago shortly after his promotion from Deputy Chief to Chief.
As our past two Fire Chiefs, our recipients have provided safety and stability to the community including through the fundraising and building of a brand new state-of-the-art fire department and emergency services headquarters. While many neighboring towns’ fire departments are facing declining volunteer numbers, they have provided for the recruitment and stable leadership of Lyme Fire and EMS. Like all the other members of the EMS and Fire Departments, these two individuals leave work, family celebrations, dinner on the table, and their warm beds in the middle of the night to help us when and where we need them. They have enhanced the quality of life in our town, having a direct impact on us and our neighbors in our homes, on the roads, and everywhere in between.Our Lyme citizens of the year demonstrate that our town and our community are stronger when we work *together* and that wonderful things happen when we contribute to our common goals.
Former Citizens of the Year:
2022 Kathy Sherrieb
2021 Michael Whitman
2020 Jim and Dale Mason
2019 Pat and Tony Pippin
2018 Ellen Thompson
2017 Peggy Little and Paphanh Sithavady
2016 Nancy Elizabeth Grandine
2015 Kenneth Uline
2014 Earl and Beverly Strout
2013 Michael Hinsley
2012 Jean and Mike Smith
2011 Charles Balch
2010 Patty Jenks
2009 Carola Lea
2008 Bill Murphy
2007 Laura DeGoosh
2006 Betty Lee
2004 Fred Phillips
2003 Albert Pushee
2002 Don and Julia Elder
2001 Becky Franklin
2000 Kenneth Elder
1999 Dorcas Chaffee