Peter Garrett, president of Kennebec Messalonskee Trails, congratulates KM Trails honoree Jeff Melanson (right) as other honorees and their escorts look on.

By Gregor Smith

On Thursday, October 23, some 150 people gathered at the Waterville Opera House to celebrate the diverse contributions of the Greater Waterville community’s many volunteers. Besides the presentation of awards, the ceremony included performances by local dancers, actors, and a pianist. Former local radio personality Eric Leimbach was Master of Ceremonies.

Held each fall, the REM Community Volunteer Awards Ceremony is organized by REM on behalf of the REM Partners, a coalition of nonprofit organizations active in the Waterville area. This year, eight of the Partners each chose one of their own volunteers to honor. The honorees were:

• Cleveland Brown (Alfond Youth Center)
• Penny Laplante (Inland Hospital)
• Jeff Melanson (Kennebec Messalonskee Trails)
• Kim Nashed (Maine Children’s Home For Little Wanderers)
• Morita Tapley (Maine Dance Teachers Association)
• Jackie Riege (Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter)
• Jackie Dalton (REM)
• Mary A. Hammond (Waterville Business and Professional Women)

Waterville Business and Professional Women honoree Mary Hammond pumps her fist in exultation. She is flanked by WBPW president Myra Chaloult (left) and vice president Marilyn Ladd.

The centerpiece of the ceremony was a PowerPoint presentation with a segment on each honoree and the honoring organization. The audience was also treated to energetic dance routines by two troupes from Maureen Morison’s Young Americans Dance Center, a light piano medley by Ryan Sargeant, and a duet from the Waterville Opera House’s musical The Full Monty by actors Tom Kelleher and Todd Gordon.

The ceremony also marked the release of the 2009 edition of the REM Partners Directory. The 64-page booklet contains photos and biographical sketches of the honorees, descriptions of and contact information for the REM Partner organizations, as well as a Directory of Community Conscious Businesses. Paper copies of the directory are available at the REM office in The Center at 93 Main Street in Waterville and at various other locations around the area.

The 75-minute ceremony concluded with the presentation of a crystal award, two inches in diameter, to each honoree. The audience was then invited to congratulate the honorees in person at a dessert reception in the REM Forum across the skywalk and down two flights of stairs.

All of the 2008 honorees and their escorts stand on stage to receive the audience’s applause near the close of the ceremony.

Click any photo on this page to enlarge it. All photos are by Gregor Smith.