Features Jan-June 2003 |
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Editors' note: The Chamber did a fine job in honoring the "Best of Melrose". Of course we at the senior center believe that honoree Jack Beckley -- executive director of the Council on Aging -- should be at the top of that list, and so we have done a separate article on Jack, in this issue. But we would be remiss if we didn't cover the other winners, for they are, after all, the Best of Melrose.
Other recipients of the Best of Melrose include: Eileen Hamblin: Citizen of the Year Eileen Hamblin didn't set out to volunteer for--seemingly--every committe in town. It just sort of ended up that way. Her many activities include: Board of Directors of Melrose Day Care Center, member of the League of Women Voters, steering committee of the Melrose Alliance Against Violence, Affordable Housing Task Force and the Middle School Planning Committee, as well as being an avid supporter of youth sports. She was also a member of the 2002 Superintendent of Schools Search Committee. Oyinade Aderibigbe: Young Citizen of the Year A straight A student, she is vice president of the National Honor Society and leader of the cello section of the MHS orchestra. This Melrose High School Senior Class President is also tri-captain and star of the girls basketball team, which had a perfect regular season record and went to the Division 2 eastern state championships. Her volunteer activities include peer mediation, Students Against Destructive Decision and Melrose Alliance Against Violence. She has been accepted at both Harvard and MIT and her goal is to become a pediatrician. Richard Saint-Amant: Volunteer of the Year When he is not delivering hot meals to homeless families in local motels, Richard Saint-Amant is volunteering in the Melrose schools teaching students about fractions by baking biscuits or "digital math," a new way of using their fingers to help learn multiplication. He has organized a neighborhood watch group on his street and, as a member of the Winthrop School playground design committee, used his son's Legos to create a scale model of the playground. Among his other projects he is involved with the school strategic planning committee, the technology planning committee and the Save Our Schools campaign. Sweet Thoughts: Best new business Carl Caratozzolo and Jerry Pulaski, the owners of Sweet Thoughts, offer a store filled with gourmet foods, hand-dipped chocolates and unusual gift items. They support many local causes, including The Bridge, Community Reading Day, Sharing and Caring, the Save Our Schools campaign, the Melrose Symphony Orchestra and the YMCA. Century 21 Sexton and Donohue: Outstanding business of the year. Longtime Melrose Realtors, Mary Sexton and Bill Donohue, received for the award for their many contributions to the community, both individually and as a business. Mary Sexton has been chairwoman of the Holiday House Tour Committee, trustee of Memorian Hall and a member of the operating committee for the Board of Directors of the Melrose YMCA. Bill Donohue was President of the Rotary and has been active with the Lions Club, Junior Achievement, Mount Hood Association and local churches. The business has sponsored the Adopt-a-Site at the entrance to the city on the Lynn Fells Parkway, the Home for the Holidays trolley and a booth at the Victorian Fair. This article consists of excerpts from the March 20th edition of the Melrose Free Press. Photos by SilverStringer Don Norris (except that fine picture of Richard Saint Amant). April 4, 2003
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