Manchester Historical Society

PRIDE IN MANCHESTER WEEK: HOMETOWN HEROES AWARDS

The Pride in Manchester Week Committee honors �Hometown Heroes� each June, to recognize people in our community who have supported, served, volunteered, and given their time and talents without the recognition they deserve.

Joyce Hodgson, chairperson of Pride Week in 2011, 2012, and 2013, organized the program in 2011 to celebrate Pride�s 20th Anniversary. She said, "Hometown Heroes have served the community over long periods. These people awe and inspire us to do better, be better, and give back to Manchester all that it�s given to us."

During Pride Week, the first week in June, the award is given. A tree has been planted for each Hometown Hero, through the Town's tree program. The Committee welcomes comments or nominations from the public. The name of the Committee's chairperson can be found each year on the Pride and Heritage web site, http://prideinmanchester.townofmanchester.org/.

The Pride In Manchester Committee is comprised of volunteers from the community committed to providing interesting cultural, social, educational and recreational activities during the first week of June. Pride activities are funded by generous donations from local businesses and individuals, as well as by the Town of Manchester and the SBM Charitable Foundation.

Year	Recipient(s)	Information
2019	Barbara Armentano	Volunteer in the community, especially for Pride in Manchester.
2018	Kevin Zingler	Executive Director of MARC, Inc., volunteer with Little League and chairperson of the Pride in Manchester committee, creating family friendly activities and a concert in the park each June.
2017	Dotti Cannon, Ed Firestone	Dotti Cannon: Owner, Brown Sugar Catering, volunteer with MARC, LTM, past-president Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Ed Firestone: Owner, Pinewood Furniture, past-president Manchester Rotary Club, board member Manchester Historical Society and MCC Foundation; a founder of Cruisin' on Main.
2016	Tana Parseliti, Lynn Sottile	Tana Parseliti: Volunteer with Imagine Main Street and other community activities. Manager, Downtown Manchester Special Services District. Lynn Sottile: Led the effort to bring the traveling "Wall that Heals," to Manchester; volunteered graphic design for Pride in Manchester, Imagine Main Street and other community activities.
2015	John Hovey	John Hovey: Volunteer with Pride in Manchester Week, Manchester Historical Society, Imagine Main Street, Cruisin' on Main, Trinity Covenant Church.
2014	John Dormer, Donna Mercier & Joyce Hodgson	John Dormer (1939-2014): President and volunteer at Manchester Historical Society; Meals on Wheels; St. James Church. Joyce Hodgson: Pride Week Committee and Homeland Day Chair, Rotary Club, Young@Art, SHARE, Cheney Hall. Donna Mercier: CAST Children's Theater and local politics.
2013	Anne Miller & Doug Smith	Anne Miller: Little Theatre of Manchester founder, supporter of many community organizations including Police Athletic League, MARC, the arts, and the Historical Society. Doug Smith: Conservationist, activist for community beautification and for greenways along the Hockanum River and Bigelow Brook, including many miles of trails.
2012	Lil Legier & Jack Thompson	Lil Legier: Manchester Bicentennial Bandshell Committee, Pride Week Committee. Jack Thompson: Retired State Representative.
2011	John Cooney & Mary Ann Handley	John Cooney: Retired Probate Judge, volunteer with Cheney Hall Foundation. Mary Ann Handley: Retired State Senator, Manchester Community College professor, volunteer with Manchester Historical Society.