Chamber announces Business, Nonprofit and Citizen of the Year awards

Jeanne Varney Grover, left, and Alicia Frye were named Citizens of the Year at the GRCC awards banquet held Saturday at The Oaks in Somersworth. (Maureen Steer photos)

ROCHESTER - The Chamber was pleased to hold its Annual Dinner & Awards Banquet at The Oaks Grand Ballroom on Saturday, November 6, 2021. The event was underwritten by Eversource and Service Credit Union.

With approximately 100 people that gathered for the event, attendees enjoyed a fabulous dinner by The Oaks, musical entertainment by the Nate Therrien Trio and an awards ceremony. With master of ceremonies, T.J. Jean of Frisbie Memorial Hospital, the Chamber presented its 2021 Business of the Year, 2021 Nonprofit of the Year and 2021 Citizen of the Year awards. Each award featured a video and each award was presented by last year's award recipients.

2021 Business of the Year - The Rochester Voice
2021 Nonprofit of the Year - Monarch School of New England
2021 Citizen of the Year - Jeanne Varney Grover and Alicia Frye

In addition to the write-ups attached, the video of the award presentations can be found on the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RochesterChamber

Also at the event, a few raffles were held.

A 50/50 raffle was held with Charmaine Carey winning.

And a Fanatics.com gift card was won by Anne Brown.

The grand prize raffle of $1,500, sponsored by First Seacoast Bank, was won by Tatjana Simon.

Following are writeups on the three winners as provided by the chamber.

GREATER ROCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NAMES
2021 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

The Business of the Year award is one of the Chamber's most prestigious awards celebrating excellence in a business' industry and in their community. This award, sponsored by Index Packaging, recognizes a Chamber member who has demonstrated leadership and involvement for the betterment of the business community and the greater Rochester area.

From left, Sara Thorp, Rochester Voice secretary, editor Harrison Thorp, President Martha T. Soto Galicia and contributing writer, publicist and sales consultant Corinna Cole.

At the Chamber's Annual Dinner & Awards Banquet held on Saturday evening, November 6, 2021 at The Oaks Grand Ballroom, the Chamber was pleased to present the 2021 Business of the Year award to The Rochester Voice.

Operated by Harrison Thorp, a 30-year journalist, and President Martha Soto-Galicia, a former legal secretary, media buyer and insurance underwriter, The Rochester Voice is an award-winning digital daily that covers the Greater Rochester area.

The Voice reports on quality-of-life issues, challenges in the community and all facets of life. They are an independent voice that seeks to report on governmental affairs objectively while holding government accountable to its citizenry. The Rochester Voice also contributes to the community by reporting on new businesses, commercial developments, educational-commercial collaborations, and more.

The Rochester Voice is a large supporter to several organizations and events in Rochester that benefit the community, including Rochester School's Gimme 5, Rochester Thank A Police Officer Day, Holiday Tree Lighting, Holiday Parade and many more. They have donated part of their profits to My Breast Cancer Awareness, Brain Aneurysm Support, Gerry's Good Pantry, among many others.

The Rochester Voice has received numerous awards from the New Hampshire Press Association including Best Digital Presence statewide in 2020 and won first place in Health Reporting, Spot News and Feature photos.

The Rochester Voice employees volunteer their time at community events including groundbreaking ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, candidate forums, serving on various committees, etc.

According to Brian Healey, owner of Healey Auto Repair, "The Rochester Voice delivers unbiased news and business reviews to area residents and supports many community efforts by getting the word out about upcoming local projects."

According to Capt. Todd Pinkham of the Rochester Police Department, "I interact with Harrison on a weekly, sometimes daily basis and he is always professional and courteous, and the publication reflects that. The publication is very well rounded, capturing a variety of areas of interests, and keeps the public up-to-date on what is happening in the community."

According to Brian Liberty, "what makes The Rochester Voice special is its accurate reporting."

For these reasons, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce was proud to name The Rochester Voice as its 2021 Business of the Year.

Presenting the award to The Rochester Voice, was Matt Beaulieu representing Service Credit Union, last year's Business of the Year recipient.

GREATER ROCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NAMES

2021 NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR

The Non-Profit of the Year award presented by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is one of the Chamber's most prestigious business awards. This award is bestowed upon a nonprofit that demonstrates excellence in their organization and in their community. It also recognizes a Chamber member that has provided a significant impact to the betterment of the greater Rochester area.

Holding the plaque for Nonprofit of the Year is MSNE Executive Director Diane Bessey surrounded by key members of her staff.

At the Chamber's Annual Dinner & Awards Banquet held on Saturday evening, November 6, 2021, at The Oaks Grand Ballroom, the Chamber presented its 2021 Nonprofit of the Year to the Monarch School of New England.

For over 40 years, the Monarch School of New England (MSNE) has provided unlimited possibilities for students with special needs. Originally known as the Child Development Center of Strafford County, the organization began as a volunteer-run playgroup in the late 1960's to meet a growing need to provide opportunities for children with disabilities and their families. As the organization evolved into a school in the mid-1970's, the school's founder, Carrie Foss, continued to provide opportunities for children with special needs. Today, MSNE continues as a non-profit, specialized, day school for students with significant development, physical, medical, behavioral, and emotional disabilities, ages 5-21, located in Rochester, NH. Since its founding, over 300 students have graduated from the school.

The mission of the Monarch School of New England is to support individuals with special needs to they can realize their greatest potential. A comprehensively trained staff works one-on-one with each individual, uniquely integrating both education and therapy, to ensure successful transitions to school and to the community.

MSNE also offers an array of prevocational/vocational training programs in different career sectors. MSNE has been a leader in the state for preparing students for rewarding employment opportunities. Vocational program students gain hands-on, meaningful employment experience at over 30 local businesses in the greater Rochester area. These partnerships are beneficial for both MSNE and the businesses.

Day students are involved and engaged in the area, learning life skills while shopping at local retailers to volunteering with city programs, participating in a meaningful way to the community.

MSNE is recognized across New England for excellence in academic, therapeutic, functional life skills, and vocational programming for students with complex disabilities. Curriculum is based on the NH Educational Frameworks and Common Core Standards. Students have the opportunity to develop healthy habits and life-long leisure skills, through inclusion in MSNE's innovative therapeutic and adaptive recreation programs in the community.

Students are valued for their abilities and are seen for what they can do, not what they cannot. According to Jean Parsons, Board President of MSNE, "perhaps what speaks most clearly to what MSNE provides is mirrored on the faces of our students, the pure joy of newfound confidence, and enthusiasm for learning". And according to Mary Henderson, VP at Bank of New Hampshire, "within this nurturing environment, each students' unique abilities, interests and strengths are supported, to ensure successful transitions to school, the community, and everyday life".

MSNE employees are also active in the community. Executive Director, Diane Bessey, is an active member of the Rochester Rotary Club and is a member of Frisbie Memorial Hospital's board of directors. Staff members have also been recognized with various statewide awards including Champion Award by the NH Council for Youths with Chronic Health Conditions, Emerging Leader in Special Education by the NH Special Education Administrators and Distinguished Clinical Educators Award by the University of New England.

The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce was honored to recognize the mission, programs and valuable opportunities offered by presenting its 2021 Nonprofit of the Year award to the Monarch School of New England.

Presenting the Nonprofit of the Year award to MSNE Executive Director, Diane Bessey, was Kathy Beebe of HAVEN, last year's recipient.

GREATER ROCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NAMES

2021 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

The Citizen of the Year award is presented each year by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce to an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the community and has made significant contributions to the vibrancy and strength of the Greater Rochester area.

At the Chamber's Annual Dinner & Awards Banquet held on Saturday evening, November 6, 2021, at The Oaks Grand Ballroom, the Chamber announced their 2021 Citizens of the Year are Jeanne Varney Grover and Alicia Frye, co-founders of the Rochester Farmers Market and Vouchers for Veterans.

Jeanne Varney Grover is a lifelong resident of Rochester, NH. Alicia Frye is a resident of Barrington and a former Rochester business owner.

Alicia and Jeanne both started The Farmers Market in Rochester to offer fresh food, produce, activities for families, and live music to provide a venue for local farmers to expand their business and to increase the quality of life in Rochester for years to come. Jeanne let the market operations, organized vendors, volunteers, and entertainment, Alicia, former co-owner of Benedict's Grill in Rochester, executed the marketing, fundraising and attended each market. Both worked tirelessly to create a vibrant and delicious destination for the community and beyond.

Jeanne and Alicia expanded the Rochester Farmers Market to include, Vouchers for Veterans, a program for veterans to receive a voucher free fresh produce and market purchases in the month of September, as a heartfelt appreciation for active and retired military service members. This program has brought hundreds of veterans to shop at the Rochester Farmers Market. In addition to Rochester, Jeanne and Alicia created a nonprofit organization for the Vouchers for Veterans program, with a mission to expand the voucher program to markets throughout Strafford County.

According to former Mayor Caroline McCarley, "the Rochester Farmers Market has become a community centerpiece and has helped create a robust local economy for farmers and small businesses. The market has become a community event where friends and neighbors gather to talk and listen to music while having access to locally grown produce and products - we are very thankful for all of their hard work".

According to Retired Colonel Daniel Saucier, "this program has allowed several hundred veterans to come to the market in September and receive cash vouchers, which allows them to purchase fresh items from the farmers - this supports the local farmer and the local veteran".

Jeanne Varney Grover and Alicia Frye, with long term ties to the community, banded together to fulfill a need and provide the City of Rochester with a local Farmers Market, which has encouraged residents and visitors to eat healthy, and support local growers. Their work has been recognized by the Seacoast Eat Local, Local Growers Exchange, NH Farmers Markets, New Hampshire Department of Agriculture Markets and Foods, and Snap/EBT program. Both Jeanne and Alicia were also recognized by the Rochester Main Street program in 2018 with the Silver Level Presidential Volunteer Service Award for their work.

The Chamber is proud to present both Alicia Frye and Jeanne Varney Grover together, as Rochester's 2021 Citizens of the Year, and thank them both for their hard work that resulted is a continued benefit to the community of Rochester and other surrounding communities.

Presenting this year's Citizen of the Year award to Jeanne Varney Grover and Alicia Frye, was Lisa Stanley, last year's recipient.