Chamber holds award ceremony

By Douglas Farmer
Turley Publications Staff Writer

STURBRIDGE-- Peter Harder of Ware said he likes to lead by example. As a member of the Ware Police Department for the last 30 years, he said it is a matter of pride to know that his colleagues not only cite drivers for speeding and answer emergency calls, but also coach soccer and volunteer throughout the community.
And as a member of the Ware Board of Assessors and school committee, as well as chairman of the holiday decorating committee, Harder said he has been delighted to see how other local residents and businesses have come forward to help when community-building activities are in dire need of more funds and hands to keep them going.
So the applause came from both sides of the podium on Saturday, April 24, as Harder accepted the citizen of the year award from the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce (QHCC) at Eagle Hill Cultural Center in Hardwick. Ceremonies in the auditorium that evening were sponsored by Chicopee Savings Bank and Eagle Hill and organized by QHCC President Lenny Weake and Patty Clark, director of member services. Hardwick Vineyard and Winery held a wine tasting in the afternoon before the auditorium doors opened, and Rich LaPierre of Sounds by Rich in Spencer was the master of ceremonies.
“I grew up in Ware, moving from Topeka, Kansas with my family when I was six weeks old,” he said. “The Chamber has helped me a lot over the years, like with the downtown decorations and the Christmas tree lighting, which was a dream of mine.”
But Harder was not the only one acknowledged Saturday, as a number of other businesspeople and leaders from the QHCC towns of Belchertown, Brimfield, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Holland, Monson, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Palmer, Spencer, Wales, Ware, Warren and West Brookfield were called to the stage as award nominees or award recipients. Several companies/organizations were acknowledged for major anniversaries, such as Osterman Propane’s 50 years, Rondeau’s Dairy Bar’s 70 years, FamilyFirst Bank’s 90 years, Keep Homestead Museum’s 20 years, Spencer Furniture’s 50 years and Noonan Energy’s 120 years of doing business in the area.
Heather Opielowski of Opielowski Appraisals graciously accepted the volunteer of the year award, noting that the Chamber had been a good resource for them over the years. Janice Kucewicz, senior vice president at Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer, accepted the long-term service award on behalf of her organization.
But the greatest business recognition of all was saved for the Rondeau family, who run Rondeau’s Dairy Bar on Route 32 in Palmer, and have given back to their local community many times, from storing turkeys for the Palmer Lions Club for delivery to the needy during the holiday season and using proceeds from an annual car show for juvenile diabetes research to of course, shopping at other local businesses.
“I really didn’t think we were going to win this award, but I’m just so grateful to our customers from Palmer and Ware and other towns for supporting us all these years,” said Richard Rondeau, who was escorted to the stage by family members and congratulated by Weake and Doug Turley, chairman of the Chamber’s board and vice president of Turley Publications in Palmer. “Much like Martin Luther King Jr. so famously said, my father had a dream all those years ago, and he built the first building for $200. It’s so wonderful to see so many of my family and friends here.”
Rondeau joined a distinguished list of past winners, including Country Bank, Monson Savings Bank, Moulton Insurance Agency, Turley Publications, Quirk Wire Co. and J & J Promotions Auction Acres.
And following the lead of its member businesses, the Chamber itself gave back to the community on Saturday, as chairwoman-elect Carolyn Szarland of Monson Savings Bank officially announced that Brooke Hutton, of Holland, a senior at Tantasqua Regional High School in Sturbridge, was given a scholarship from proceeds of the annual golf tournament.
Hutton, who will be attending Liberty University in the fall, wrote a one-page essay in her application about the importance of protecting the environment.
“It is more important than ever that we make good financial, ethical and ecological decisions,” she said. “When the business community acknowledges the need for improvement and sustainable living, we can make strides.”
Also a beneficiary of the Chamber’s generosity was the Ware Domestic Violence Task Force, which received a grant from the golf committee. The award was accepted by task force member Peggy Baxter.
“I stand for women and families who are struggling,” she said. “One of the dubious distinctions that Ware has is the greatest percentage of restraining orders in the entire district. But we have successfully partnered with local businesses and the Ware Public Schools.”
Overall, Turley said he was pleased with the large attendance on April 24, which included remarks from state Sen. Stephen Brewer (D-Barre), state Rep. Anne Gobi (D-Spencer) and state Rep. Todd Smola (R-Palmer), all of whom said local businesses deserved credit for “toughing out” the trying financial times and serving as the bedrock of community involvement.
“A turnout like this is what makes our Chamber prosper,” said Turley.