Ralph ‘Eddie’ Lewis presented with Myrick Award

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

MYRICK AWARD RECIPIENT — Ralph “Eddie” Lewis, third from left, was presented with the 2015 Warren “Pete” Myrick Community Service Award during the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) annual meeting on Dec. 14 at the Mill Event Space in Dover-Foxcroft. Lewis, a resident of Dover-Foxcroft, was honored for his contributions to the community such as through the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis, Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department and Piscataquis Valley Fair Association, and those speaking at the award presentation noted how Lewis gives back without seeking any recognition for his efforts. Pictured with Lewis are, from left, Paul Raymond of the Kiwanis, Kiwanis President-Elect Deb Sommers, Dover-Foxcroft Fire Chief Joe Guyotte, Tom Goulette of the PCEDC Executive Committee and town manager of Guilford and PCEDC Executive Director Christopher Winstead.

By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A man who chooses to volunteer behind the scenes and not seek any recognition was the center of attention in honor of his numerous contributions to the community. On Dec. 14 Ralph “Eddie” Lewis of Dover-Foxcroft was presented with the 2015 Warren “Pete” Myrick Community Service Award during the annual meeting of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) at the Mill Event Space.

The Myrick Award is given to recognize a county resident, business or organization who exemplifies Myrick’s concern for and commitment to education, economic development and/or civic leadership in the region. Myrick, a Guilford resident who died in 2002, was a longtime educator in SAD 4 and one of the founders of the PCEDC, serving as president in 2001. Criteria to be considered in determining the award winner includes the overall impact of the candidate’s accomplishments, the duration of their engagement in community service activities and the breadth of involvement in the community. The award is not given to recognize anyone solely for job performance, but seeks to acknowledge those who go above and beyond in donating their time to community service.

State Rep. Norm Higgins (R-Dover-Foxcroft) began the presentation to honor Lewis, saying he worked with Myrick at Piscataquis Community High School. “I was thinking about our honoree Mr. Lewis, and we have known each other for about four decades,” Higgins said. “How do you describe him? First and foremost he’s a good man, but I think if you look around I think everyone in here we will assume they are a good person. What distinguishes him and makes him a Pete Myrick person?”

Higgins said Myrick would likely have been embarrassed by a great deal of attention being given to him, instead saying his actions are “‘always the right thing to do.’ Eddie gets up every day and helps other people, not expecting anything. If Pete were here today he would with pride extend his hand to you and say ‘job well done.’”

The presentation then included videos from both U.S. Sen. Angus King and Rep. Bruce Poliquin. King said he works with Myrick’s son Gary in Washington, D.C. and “I know Pete was just a wonderful guy reading about him and hearing about him.”

“Eddie, from what I’ve read about him, is a really great guy,” King said. He said Lewis is a pillar of the community “and that’s the way Eddie’s been his whole life up in the county.” He said the Myrick Award is a great honor, named for someone who was a pillar in the community.

“He always arrives early and leaves late,” Poliquin said in his remarks, mentioning Lewis’ involvement in the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis backpack program as an example of his community service. “He is a terrific example of what it means to be a humble hardworking man and be dedicated to his community,” the congressman added.

Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis President-Elect Deb Somers said she has known Lewis for about a half decade. “He provides that sense of belonging to people, he does amazing things in the community,” she said. “He’s there packing 50-60 backpacks a week, he’s there delivering backpacks. It’s like he cares for each and every one of those children as he packs the backpacks with care.”

Lewis’ fellow Kiwanis member Paul Raymond said Lewis is always there during the organization’s annual spring Piscataquis River Canoe Race. “Eddie helps out with the setup and any chores,” Raymond said.

Raymond said Lewis gets the space ready for the Kiwanis at the fire station for the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival every year. For the Kiwanis auction, “Eddie is on the team that does the pickups and the biggest thing he does is organize the auction barn.”

During the Kiwanis Christmas Project distribution, Raymond said Lewis once again is there early to set up “and he does everything else he is asked to do.” For all of his efforts, Lewis had been named as the 2015 Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club Kiwanian of the Year.

Dover-Foxcroft Fire Chief Joe Guyotte spoke to the full room next. He said the Myrick Award is bestowed “to those who go above and beyond in donating their time to the community service and that’s you sir.”

Guyotte said Lewis is a member of the Piscataquis Valley Fair Association and “he’s the go-to person, before and during the fair.” Guyotte said Lewis will be at the fairgrounds mowing and weeding the property weeks before the late August event and also mends fences, opens gates early in the morning, cleans and places barrels for horse racing among many other tasks.

Lewis graduated from Dexter Regional High School in 1962 and then served in the military for seven years before returning to the area and working at Guilford Industries and Shop ‘n Save. “In 1969 he joined the fire department, do the math people that’s 46 years,” Guyotte said.

He explained that Lewis served as a longtime captain for the fire department, and would be the one to go inside a structure to make the final determination that a blaze is out.

“As you heard earlier, Eddie’s a go-to person no matter what it is,” Guyotte said. “He’s also a disappearer,” Guyotte said. “He’s done his part and he doesn’t want any recognition.”

Previous Myrick Award honorees are Owen Pratt, retired Dover-Foxcroft town manager (2003); Merlene Sanborn, director of the Penquis Higher Education Center (2004); Roger Merchant, Piscataquis County Cooperative Extension Service (2005); Edwin Treworgy, retired educator, member of the SAD 41 school board and member of the Three Rivers Kiwanis in Milo (2006); Tracy Michaud Stutzman, executive director of the Maine Crafts Association (2007); Sherry French, office manager for WDME Radio (2008); Rhonda Taylor of Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union (2009); John Simko, town manager of Greenville and former president of PCEDC (2010); Thelma Regan, executive director of Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative (2011); Bob and Barbara Moore, owners Bob’s Sugarhouse (2012); Dennis Green, selectboard member Brownville (2013); and Richard “Dick” Brown, CEO, Charlotte White Center (2014).