By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN
NEWPORT — By changing one word the banner hanging from the stage curtain at the Newport Opera House would have been a perfect backdrop for the Annual Dinner of the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Feb. 1.
That banner was in place a week earlier for a pair of Dancing with the Newport Stars performances. While there was no Dancing at the Chamber affair, there was plenty of Celebrating as 130 folks gathered to Celebrate with the Newport Stars who were honored for their contributions to the community.
Those stars were Newport High School students Olivia Rasmussen and Ethan Houde along with community member Larry Flint and Kate Luppold, Executive Director of the Library Arts Center.
Prior to their introductions and brief speeches, members of the Chamber’s Executive Board were also introduced.
Donna Mahair was unanimously elected to her third term as president of the organization. Other members of the executive board are Shannon MacMichael vice president; Janice McMahon, second vice president; Beth Pitkin, treasurer; Leigh Stocker, secretary and Ella M. Casey, executive director.
Sheila Rook was elected a new director for a two-year term. Directors for three-year terms are Cathy Murray, McMahon, MacMichael, Jane Rastallis and Paul Brown; for two years, Rook, Bob Saindon, David Lantz, Pitkin and Brandy Waterman and for one year, Chris Eldredge, Steve Smith, Stocker, Mahair and Cindy Gallagher.
The evening to Celebrate with the Newport Stars started at 5:30 p.m. with a cash bar followed by dinner served at 6:30 p.m., catered by the Old Courthouse Restaurant.
The business portion of the evening was kicked off at 7:40 p.m. by Steve Smith, master of ceremonies for the Celebration. Folks were on their way home at 8:25 p.m. following the four responses by the Newport Stars.
And those responses were greeted with appreciative rounds of applause from the audience.
Leading off for the lineup of speakers was Olivia Rasmussen, a senior at NHS and resident of neighboring Croydon. Olivia was introduced by Michele Caccavaro, a member of the faculty at the high school.
“Olivia has been a very important and influential student in our school. She brings people together and earns the respect of both students and teachers,” Caccavaro said.
“She takes the hardest courses and it was enjoyable to watch her grow up in the one-room schoolhouse in Croydon,” said Caccavaro, also a Croydon resident.
Rasmussen thanked her family and teachers “who did much more than teach me.”
In her spare time she volunteers at Valley Regional Hospital, Richards Free Library and the Library Arts Center, an excellent resource for the community.
Rasmussen, the daughter of Jason and Wendy Rasmussen, said she has never witnessed a more united class. “Newport is truly a gem,” she added.
Kayleigh Durkin, a social studies teacher at Newport High School introduced Houde, also a senior, a volunteer coach and referee at the Newport Recreation Department who will be attending Colby-Sawyer College in the fall
Durkin said she could see Houde’s kindness and willingness to help others including student who asked him for tutoring and help.
Houde praised Durkin for her help. He has known her since his sophomore year.
He kidded Recreation Director PJ Lovely for “pushing me to lose that extra pound.”
Following college, Houde said he would love to coach as a career. He is the son of Scott Houde and Erin Cote.
“I couldn’t live in a better town that is so close knit,” Houde told the audience. “My mother pushed me every year to be better academically
“Thank you for recognizing me as a true community member,” he concluded.
Lovely read from along list of accomplishments during his introduction of Flint. Following his graduation from the University of Massachusetts in 1974 and North Carolina State in 1977, Flint came to Newport and led the Newport Recreation Department from 1981 to 1992.
Lovely credited Flint with all the work he has done on behalf of the senior citizen community in Newport and at the state level.
On a lighter note he gave Flint credit for developing the rotten sneaker contest, which is now the rotten sandwich contest.
“Larry’s glass is always full of optimism,” Lovely mentioned.
He reminded the audience that Flint had a liver transplant in 1991 and was told it would last for 7 to 9 years. Flint is now in his 27th year with the gift of that liver.
Flint’s major job today is working with seniors, something he has done for nearly 30 years. He has been a softball and volleyball official and has officiated more volleyball games at the recreation center than anyone, according to Lovely.
“Larry has a positive outlook every day,” Lovely stated.
“When I was told in December I was receiving the Distinguished Citizen Award I was speechless, but not for long,” Flint admitted.
“I’ve known most of you for a long time and have been married to my wife for 50 years.
Flint said more men are living longer today because they take care of their health.
“Living a healthy lifestyle and getting involved is important,” he stated.
Flint said when he retired he already had six things to do. He has a basic motto. “If you rest you rust.”
Patti Warren introduced Kate Luppold, Executive Director of the Library Arts Center, which received the Distinguished Business Award on its 50th anniversary year.
Warren reminded the gathering that the LAC was started by Marjorie Dorr and Newport is now one of the premiere Community Art Centers in New Hampshire.
“Kate Luppold has taken it to another level,” Warren said.
“Thank you to the community and chamber’s spirit and energy that allows the Arts Center to exist,” Luppold said.
Marie Bugbee, Luppold’s grandmother, now 95, was the first volunteer director at the LAC. “She inspired me to live the life I live. I look around the room and I see so many people who volunteer and build community through the arts,” Luppold noted.
“I’m really proud where wee are. Last year we served more than 5,000 people,” Luppold stated.
The LAC director said during the past year more than 220 volunteers were active at the LAC, there were 10 exhibits, 17 performances and14 screenings. “A community can be built through the arts. We had more than 100 classes last year,” Luppold said.
“This board and staff makes sure we maintain the original mission by working together to further that vision for our community,” Luppold continued.
She said the massive fundraising campaign seeking $500,000 to help make the LAC more sustainable is now $75.000 from its goal.
“We aim to have more classes, more free drop-ins for kids and families and we’re looking more to integrate programs in local schools.
“Thank you for your incredible engagement in the Arts Center,” Luppold concluded.
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