Valley Grange to honor Recovery Wellness Center as Community Citizen of the Year
GUILFORD — Valley Grange has announced its annual Celebration of Community to be held on Friday, May 15 at the Guilford Grange Hall. The event includes honoring the local organization’s Community Citizen(s) of the Year. This year, the Grange will honor the Recovery Wellness Center based in Sangerville.
The event celebrates the strength of rural communities with a community potluck supper at 5:30 p.m., followed by a program featuring a presentation of certificates of recognition at 7 p.m. The program includes an opportunity for guests to share testimonials and appreciation.
Program Director Walter Boomsma noted in announcing the celebration, “We always try to honor people or organizations who have their boots on the ground and give of themselves to strengthen and build our communities. These too often unsung heroes are a lifeline for our communities. The event itself brings neighbors and friends together. Even the meal demonstrates the strength and value of our communities, as the communities prepare the potluck supper by bringing dishes to share.”
The Recovery Wellness Community Center in Sangerville, located at 20 Douty Hill Road, is a community-driven, non-profit center founded in 2024 to support individuals affected by addiction. It provides a safe, sober space offering free services including peer support, All Recovery meetings, Narcan training, and career exploration.
“The Center provides many sources and resources,” Boomsma notes.” But it also proves a supportive community place for those dealing with substance abuse and addiction recovery in both traditional and non-traditional ways.”
Community Service Chair Mary Annis adds, “This is always such a great evening as we enjoy the chance to connect with each other, share a great meal, and celebrate our rural lives. So many people benefit from the Recovery Wellness Center’s work. The center is peer-led and focused on community-driven support. This is a chance to thank the organization and its people in person and maybe shake hands and give a hug.”
Additional information about the event is available at http://valleygrange.com and on the Valley Grange Facebook page.
Previous recipients of the Valley Grange Community Citizen Award are 2007, John and Jim Wentworth; 2008, Edie Hussey; 2009, John McKusick; 2010, the Guilford Primary School; 2011, Dodie Curtis; 2012, Brian Woodworth; 2013, the Piscataquis Observer and WABI-TV; 2014, Julie Orton; 2015, Matt Hackett; 2016, Sherry French; 2017, Will and Melissa Wedge; 2018, Jamie Kane; 2019, Judy Raymond and Barbara Austin; 2021, employees of RSU 68, SAD 4, SAD 41 and SAD 46; 2022, everyone in the area in honor of the spirit that held communities together for the previous two years; 2023, the late Roger Ricker; 2024, the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office emergency dispatch team; and 2025, Manda Stewart.