Winsted Democrats to present annual awards

WINSTED — Winsted’s Democratic Town Committee will honor a number of outstanding citizens April 4, recognizing those that have made significant contributions to the community

The committee’s awards program began in 2013 and are presented every other year. This year’s event begins at 6:30 p.m. at Little Red Barn Brewers, 32 Lake St. Friends and family of the recipients are welcome to attend. The following is a statement from the committee on each recipient for 2023.

Janice Roy will receive the Anna Harding Community Service Award for her continued service to the community through her various works in the community including, but not limited to, Executive Secretary to the Board of Education,

Winchester Historical Society, and Friends of Main St.

Joe Nichols will receive the Jose Cevallos Youth Service Award for his many years of serving the youth of the community as a tireless advocate for youth sports, founding member of Winsted Youth Soccer, and coach of multiple sports. He is also the owner of local JB Appliances.

Bob Geiger will receive the Joseph Barber Citizenship Award for his work for the community as a transformational town manager and board member of the Beardsley Library and the Northwestern Community College Foundation.

Doug Pfenninger will receive the John Groppo Good Government Award for his years of service to the community as a strong, stabilizing Board of Education Chairman and Winchester Land

Trust member.

George and Susan Closson will receive a Special Friend of the Community Award for their tireless work in the community through service on various boards and work volunteering. George serves as Planning and Zoning Chair and is on the Water and Sewer Commission. He served as a Selectman and past Chair of the YMCA Building Committee. Susan has been a member of the Winchester Land Trust, Laurel Festival Commission, Conservation Committee and former scout leader. About the awards: The Anna Harding Community Service Award: In honor of Anna Harding, this award will be given to a member of the community who has made significant contributions to community life. The recipient shall have participated in a leadership role or in a background role in a public or private endeavor that in some substantial manner improved the quality of life for members of the community. This may include service on boards, commissions or agencies over an extended period of time. It may also include participation with a single project that benefits the community as a whole.

The Jose Cevallos Youth Service Award: In honor of Jose Cevallos, this award will be given to a member of the community who has made a significant contribution to the youth of the community. The recipient shall have worked directly with youth (mentoring, coaching, teaching, organizational leader, etc.) or on projects designed to directly benefit the youth. This may include service with public or private agencies, boards and commissions dealing directly with youth issues, or may be the actions of private citizens acting independently on behalf of the community’s youth.

The Joseph C. Barber Citizenship Award: In honor of Joseph Barber, this award will be given to a member of the community who has exemplified the ideals of citizenship over an extended period of time. The recipient shall have provided leadership to a board, commission or public or private agency that demonstrated a commitment to advancing the interests of the community. The efforts of the recipient shall have encouraged greater citizen participation in local government and/or participation in public affairs. Such service may also include participation on political committees provided that the efforts of the recipient can be shown to have benefited the citizenry at large.

The John Groppo Good Government Award: In honor of John Groppo, this award will be given to a member of the community who has participated in local government and has exemplified the ideals of effective leadership in that role. Such role may be a result of being elected or appointed. The person should have demonstrated the ability to rise above partisanship to act in the best interest of the community at large.

The Special Friend to the Community Award: The committee presents, from time to time, awards in honor of community members who have made a significant contribution through their service and work. This recipient is someone who goes above and beyond to help others with no mandate from an organization or position, but solely to fill an important need for others.