Hillsborough, NH Chamber of Commerce
Hillsborough, New Hampshire

Menu:

Mission Statement

The Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary partnership of business and professional people working together to advance the economic and social growth and well being of its members and the community.
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.

2009 Citizen of the Year

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.


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.

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

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
090606 - 547 © 1997-2006 All rights reserved
Website by Lakeside Design.