Hillsborough Citizens of the Year
Every year, the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce awards the Citizen of the Year to deserving
resident(s) of Hillsborough. Areas of contribution to our community can include but are not
limited to: Leadership, Civic Affairs, Government Affairs, Community Activities, Charitable
and Non-Profit Programs, Business Development, and Educational Programs.
Hillsborough-Deering High School DECA Members
Hillsborough-Deering High School DECA is an internationally recognized student organization for students who are interested
in preparing for entrepreneurial, marketing or management careers. DECA's goal is for its student members to develop a
"career success kit" to carry into their business and personal lives after graduation. To accomplish this, DECA utilizes on-the-job
experience, chapter projects, and a program of competency-based competitive events in specific marketing occupational areas.
Mr. Marc Payeur and Mr. Joe Walker serve as the advisors for this active group of students. Under their guidance, the DECA members have taken a big role in the fundraising efforts for the Food Pantry Reconstruction project. Some of their projects include: Monarchs Game Ticket Raffle, Wii Raffle, Withington Auction, Clothing Drive and Donation, Canned Food Drive and Donation, Red Sox Ticket Raffle, Paper Houses and the most recent Pancake Breakfast. The DECA members are also active in other community projects, such as Balloon Fest T Shirt Sales, co-sponsor of the Chamber Business Expo and Chamber Breakfast Before Hours, volunteers to help at Schnitzelfest and Chilifest in Henniker, and selling shamrocks to benefit MDA. This award winning group of students have achieved the following accolades: GOLD International Recognition of School Based Enterprise, The Hillcat Corner, 1st Place NH Community Service Project, 1st Place NH International Business Plan, 1st and 2nd Place Quick Service Restaurant Management, 1st and 3rd Place Automotive Services Marketing, 2nd Place NH Financial Literacy Project.
The officers for the 2009-2010 year include Ali Leizure, Historian; Seth Hallett,V.P.; Cristina Butler, Parliamentarian; Erin Thayer, President; Caitlyn Murdough, Treasurer; Megan Eccard, Secretary.
Mr. Marc Payeur and Mr. Joe Walker serve as the advisors for this active group of students. Under their guidance, the DECA members have taken a big role in the fundraising efforts for the Food Pantry Reconstruction project. Some of their projects include: Monarchs Game Ticket Raffle, Wii Raffle, Withington Auction, Clothing Drive and Donation, Canned Food Drive and Donation, Red Sox Ticket Raffle, Paper Houses and the most recent Pancake Breakfast. The DECA members are also active in other community projects, such as Balloon Fest T Shirt Sales, co-sponsor of the Chamber Business Expo and Chamber Breakfast Before Hours, volunteers to help at Schnitzelfest and Chilifest in Henniker, and selling shamrocks to benefit MDA. This award winning group of students have achieved the following accolades: GOLD International Recognition of School Based Enterprise, The Hillcat Corner, 1st Place NH Community Service Project, 1st Place NH International Business Plan, 1st and 2nd Place Quick Service Restaurant Management, 1st and 3rd Place Automotive Services Marketing, 2nd Place NH Financial Literacy Project.
The officers for the 2009-2010 year include Ali Leizure, Historian; Seth Hallett,V.P.; Cristina Butler, Parliamentarian; Erin Thayer, President; Caitlyn Murdough, Treasurer; Megan Eccard, Secretary.
2008 Citizen of the Year
Virginia "Ginks" Leiby
Virginia "Ginks" Leiby has given back to the Hillsborough/Deering community tirelessly and to a wide variety
of causes. Education has been a big focus for Ginks. She served on the HDES Playground
Steering and Fundraising Committee and HDES PTO. She served on the Administrative Committee
at the SAU for 3 years, the Comprehensive School Reform Steering Committee, co-wrote the
comprehensive School Reform grant for the elementary school, taught grant writing at the
SAU and the elementary school, designed and published the School & Community Communication
and Resource Guide, designed and published the Building Committee guide to inform the
voters about the new middle school initiative, handled publicity for the vote for the
new middle school and wrote various other grants for the schools. Ginks designed the
concept and materials for Math in a Box (MIAB), wrote grants and found sponsors to support
the project, served as a MIAB committee member, helped with distribution of 1,000 kits to
the elementary school, partnered with the HDES after school program to develop a MIAB
after school program for grades K-5 (gym activity math program) and trained after school
staff to run the program. She served on the Service Learning Task Force committee. Ginks
is in the process of starting a PTSO to support the students and staff at the middle school.
She is a volunteer teacher at the HDMS After School Program and serves on the grant
development team to support the program and has developed the Design Club concept (still
in development, but classes have begun).
Ginks also helped to develop the ground work for the Family Youth Investment group by
writing grants and participating in special community events while serving as a Board member.
Ginks used her grant writing skills to benefit the Hillsborough Historical Society's
programs such as the Manahan Photo Collection and the Theater Curtain Stabilization Project.
She has served on the Board of Directors for 5 years, served as liaison to the Heritage
Museum and served on the Theater Curtain Committee. In her association with the
Hillsborough Heritage Museum, Ginks was the Chair of the fundraising committee and
designed brochures and advertising materials for the Timeless Tea House Tour and served
on the Board for 3 years.
Recent Past Citizens of the Year
2007: Robert Charron
Bob was born in Hartford, CT and grew up in Indianapolis, Ind. and South America. In 1947
the family moved to NH. Bob became very active in the community of Pittsfield, serving
as Scout Master, 2 terms as Selectman and working with the Pittsfield Players, a non-profit
theater group. In 1977 Bob moved his wife, Fran and family to Hillsborough and began
working for the Bank of NH, eventually retiring in 2004 as the VP of Commercial Lending.
Bob's involvement in the Hillsborough community includes his Scouting efforts, serving as
Club Master and Den Leader of the local Pack. In the 1980s he served as a school board
member for 2 terms and worked on the committee that brought about the construction of the
new high school. In the 1990s he served as a selectman for 2 terms. Before the Balloon
Festival combined with the Firemen???s Weekend, Bob was chairman of the Festival. Bob recentl
stepped down as chairman of Schnitzelfest, after serving in that position for 5 years. He
has also served as President of the Board for the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce and
President & Treasurer of the Historical Society. Bob is currently chairman of the board
for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Monadnock Region, the finance officer for the
American Legion Post 59 and financial secretary for Smith Congregational Church. He also
sits on the board of Farmsteads of NE.
2006: Stephen & Jane Waters
Since their retirement in 1997 both Steve & Jane have given back to the Hillsborough/Deering community
tirelessly & to a wide variety of causes. Jane most recently served as the President of the Hillsborough
Historical Society, a position she held since 2000, retiring in 2006. She continues to serve as Docent.
In 2001 Jane was a founding member of the Hillsboro Heritage Museum and served on the Timeless Tea Committee
from 2003 -2006 to raise funds for the museum. She continues to serve on the DAR Museum Committee.
Having graduated with a degree in Music Education and a M.A. in Vocal Performance, Jane has served as
Director of the Hillsboro-Deering Community Chorus since 1998. She is a choir member and soloist for the
Deering Community Church and gave solo vocal recitals as benefits in 2004 & 2005. Jane is also a
substitute accompanist at Smith Church.
Steve most recently served as a Hillsboro-Deering School Board Member, a position he held since 2000, retiring in 2006. Steve served as Vice-Chair of the Board and Chair of SAU #34 Board from 2002-2005. He was the Chair of the Superintendent Search Committee and continues to be involved with the Youth Diversion Program. Steve was also involved in the Hillsborough Historical Society, serving as Vice-President from 1998- 2000. He served on the Duncan-Jenkins Trust Grant Committee from 2000-2006 and continues to serve as a Board member of the Deering Foundation. Steve also is a member of the Deering Community Church choir and the Hillsboro-Deering Community Chorus. Since graduating from Yale and Wesleyan Steve has been a teacher and headmaster. He was a board member of the NH School Boards Association and continues to serve on the Professional Standards Board of the NH Department of Education and is a Clinical Faculty member at Plymouth State University.
Both Jane and Steve performed with the Berkshire Festival Chorus in Salzburg, Austria and at the Great Waters Music Festival in Wolfeboro, NH.
Steve most recently served as a Hillsboro-Deering School Board Member, a position he held since 2000, retiring in 2006. Steve served as Vice-Chair of the Board and Chair of SAU #34 Board from 2002-2005. He was the Chair of the Superintendent Search Committee and continues to be involved with the Youth Diversion Program. Steve was also involved in the Hillsborough Historical Society, serving as Vice-President from 1998- 2000. He served on the Duncan-Jenkins Trust Grant Committee from 2000-2006 and continues to serve as a Board member of the Deering Foundation. Steve also is a member of the Deering Community Church choir and the Hillsboro-Deering Community Chorus. Since graduating from Yale and Wesleyan Steve has been a teacher and headmaster. He was a board member of the NH School Boards Association and continues to serve on the Professional Standards Board of the NH Department of Education and is a Clinical Faculty member at Plymouth State University.
Both Jane and Steve performed with the Berkshire Festival Chorus in Salzburg, Austria and at the Great Waters Music Festival in Wolfeboro, NH.
2005: Dave & Dotti Penney
Dave & Dotti have three grown children and two grand children. They lived in
Antrim for 25 years and owned and operated Reade & Woods Insurance Agency from 1988-2003. They moved to
Hillsborough in 2003 and sold Reade & Woods to Knapton & Sterling Agency. Both Dave & Dotti have made a
lasting mark on the Hillsborough area. Dave served as Executive Board Member & treasurer for the
Hillsborough Chamber, President of Board for Hillsborough Pride, President of Board for the Contoocook
Housing Trust (non-profit provider of affordable rental housing - owns 3 properties in Hillsborough),
Board of Selectman and Zoning Board of Adjustment in Antrim, Library Trustee and Park Board member.
Dotti served as Antrim Trustee of Trust Funds, Volunteer at Fuller Library in Hillsborough and Tuttle
Library in Antrim, Board member for Hillsborough Pride, Volunteer at the Hillsborough Chamber office &
helped plant and tend the Chamber's planters in the downtown, Founding member of Antrim Friends
of Rec, an Inspiration for the Antrim Town Hall tower murals and worked with Gil Shattuck as a volunteer
helping to catalogue the Phelps-Manahan photo collection.
Both volunteered with the American Red Cross doing Katrina/Rita disaster relief in Louisiana, are Co-founders of The GrapeVine Family & Community Center in Antrim and serve as volunteer workers on Star Island, owned by the Unitarian & Congregational Churches
Both volunteered with the American Red Cross doing Katrina/Rita disaster relief in Louisiana, are Co-founders of The GrapeVine Family & Community Center in Antrim and serve as volunteer workers on Star Island, owned by the Unitarian & Congregational Churches
2004: Bonnie & Walter Morse
Bonnie and Walter Morse have been name as Hillsborough's Citizens of the Year for 2004. Their
contributions to the community have been unlimited. Bonnie, a life-long resident, currently serves
on the Board of Directors for Hillsborough Pride, and served on the Zoning Board and on St.
Mary's Parish Council. She's volunteered at Meals on Wheels and Hillsboro House Nursing Home, as
well as served on numerous town committees and organizations.
Walter, a former Hillsborough Selectman, State Trooper, and Hillsborough County Sheriff,
currently belongs to many law enforcement associations including, but not limited to, the NH
Retired State Troopers, the 100 Club, and the National and New Hampshire's Sheriffs Associations.
Walt is an active member of the Hillsboro Lions Club, and currently serves as the Fish & Game
Commissioner for Hillsborough County.
The Morses, besides owning Morse's Sporting Goods, work tirelessly not only for the community
as a whole, but also for its individuals and families in times of need. Bonnie's take on volunteering?
Instead of complaining, people should get off their *** and do something! Now that's a motto to live by!!
2003: Robert Landry
Robert Landry moved to Deering around 1990 from the Nashua area, where he was born, just a
short 78 years ago. He had worked for various manufacturers over the years, where he did everything
from maintenance work to tinkering with the machinery to make it run better, safer, or faster.
Bob always had an interest in science, questioning how and why things ran the way they did, and with
his work in the manufacturing field, he began inventing machinery and his interest in mechanics and
science began to flourish. In 1991, he opened up a shop in the Marcy Block, where he worked on his
machinery, his inventions, his trials and tribulations. He also set up a storefront for his side job,
known as Castaway Treasures. Soon his "Treasures" overwhelmed his location, and he bought
and moved into the current location of Castaway Treasures.
So, what most people ask is why does this 78 year old man sweep the downtown streets, water
the flowers, shovel Butler Park and local fire hydrants, with no complaints, no compensation; but
always with a smile and friendly conversation? Bob says this is how he gives back to the community
that has given him so much. Since moving to Hillsboro, his study of science has flourished;
specializing in polarity and magnetic fields. Bob's greatest enjoyment is picking up a book and
learning something new. So when he's taking a break from his research, he goes out and does a
little shoveling, sweeping, or whatever else he sees that needs to be done. Bob says everything
is a learning experience, and when he's out working he is still doing research. Bob's commitment to
his community makes him a citizen to certainly be proud of.
2002: Norma & David Hubbard
Norma and Dave Hubbard are long time residents of Hillsboro and took over running the Hillsboro
Food Pantry about five years ago. The Pantry is a very worthwhile organization that serves the needs
of Hillsboro citizens and those of the surrounding communities, up to 100 families per week. The
Hubbards have improved the Pantry's operation and often can be found setting things up on other days
besides Tuesdays (distribution day), so that volunteers will have an easier time. They have gotten
to know the clientele of the food pantry and individualize the help given when necessary, always
treating the clientele with dignity and a smile. They encourage the pantry's support by writing
thank-you notes, by letting needs be known, and always making sure donations are well used. These
two people give willingly to those less fortunate than themselves. Their efforts have no monetary
return or benefits, except in helping their fellow man. The only rumors that circulate about this
couple are about their unspoken dedication and that they might have something to do with flowers
being planted around Hillsboro when no one is looking!
2001: Doug & Judy Hatfield; 2000: Elinor Vaillancourt; 1999: Jacob Reitsema; 1998: Russ &
Phebe Galpin; 1997: Joyce Peace; 1996: Don McCulloch; 1995: Barbara Daley & Gail Johnson; 1994:
Robert Johnson; 1993: Robert & Fran Charron; 1992: Ray Barker; 1991: 744th Transport (National Guard);
1990: "Doc" Baldwin; 1989: Carl Goodman; 1988: Wally Houghton; 1986: Joseph Eaton, Sr.;
1985: Frank Cangiano; 1980: Richard Withington