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And the winners are...

Greater Dover Chamber recognizes the best of the best

Karen Dandurant news@seacoastonline.com

DOVER — Members of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce gathered at Rivermill at Dover Landing on Friday night, to celebrate some of the best people and businesses of the Garrison City.

"These are well deserving folk," said Mayor Karen Weston of the winners of the Dover Chamber Awards. "They work hard for our community. We couldn't get done the things we want to do without people like tonight's award winners."

The event also marks the end of the term for Katie MacKinnon, as she steps down from her role as chamber president.

MacKinnon, who served for five years with the chamber, and as president in 2018 cited personal reasons for her decision. Jeffrey Hughes, the chamber's board chairman, and vice president and chief strategy officer at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, said MacKinnon served the chamber with "tremendous energy and enthusiasm for Dover during her five-year tenure."

"Tonight is all about the awards," said MacKinnon. "We are here to celebrate the winners. Besides, I am not going away. I plan to stay active and involved, especially with all our wonderful events."

Cathy Beaudoin was the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce's choice for Citizen of the Year. The honor comes on the heels of her recently being named New Hampshire Librarian of the Year by the New Hampshire Library Trustees Association.

The much loved library director also serves on many city boards, such as Dover Listens, Dover Main Street, The Woodman Museum and several chamber committees.

"I am very honored and this was nothing I expected," Beaudoin said. "I have nominated many other worthy candidates over the years."

Beaudoin said she loves doing what she can for her community.

"Dover is special, so you get involved," Beaudoin said. "I try to inspire others with what we can do here."

The award for Business of the Year went to Ross Furniture and the Howard family, citing their good neighbor status among area businesses and a willingness to help where needed.

Owners Tina and Jason Howard arrived with over 28 guests.

"We are honored," said Tina Howard. "We have a business with 20 employees and they are all here tonight because we would not be here if not for our wonderful staff. Our employees range from our 14-year-old daughter Julianna, who does the advertising each week with her dad, to 94-year-old Chris Gelanis. He comes in for two hours a day to help with our bookkeeping. Every single employee we have is important to us."

The large non-profit award went to the Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, an agency that assists area residents with needs such as fuel assistance, parent and child education, transportation, employment and job training.

"I think it's great that we are being honored for the things we do every day," said Betsy Andrews Parker, CEO of the Strafford CAP. "What we strive for each day, is to make the lives of the people of Strafford County a little better."

The small Non-profit of the Year award went to the Dover Children's Home, who celebrated their 125th anniversary last year. The home provides residential treatment services and educational programs to under-served youth.

Renee Touhey-Childress, executive director of the Dover Children's Home said this is their first time being honored by the chamber and they are thrilled.

"This is amazing," said Touhey-Childress. "I feel like we should be honoring those people and organizations that have helped us over the year, those who keep us afloat."

The Volunteer of the Year recipient was Michael Mengers. He volunteers for many programs in the city and was instrumental in the launching of the Dover Road Race Series.

Mengers, who lives in Lee now and teaches at the University of New Hampshire, said he used to live in Dover and stays involved because he loves the city and its people.

"This award is an unbelievable honor," said Mengers. "I knew past volunteer of the year recipients. They were my mentors, and people I looked up to. And, there is something about Dover that I have never felt anywhere else. People here are motivated. They see something that needs to be done; they stand up and do it themselves. The vitality here permeates from all those grassroots organizations."

"These annual awards are a testament to the individuals and businesses that make Dover a great place to live, work and visit," said MacKinnon. "The 2019 recipients were selected from many worthy nominations submitted to a committee of chamber, business and community leaders."