Lyme Citizen of the Year
About the Citizen of the Year Award
In 1999, a gift from Rachel Miller created the Lyme Citizen of the Year award, to be bestowed on someone who has provided outstanding service to the Town of Lyme. This award honors those who have had an impact in our town in a variety of ways. It is not a rite of passage, one that is given each year to the next person in line. Rather, it is an award that is earned by members of our town who give their time in government, organizations, and service, working in a multitude of ways to make Lyme the engaging, dynamic, and caring community that it is. These ordinary people doing extraordinary work not only make this town thrive, they also inspire others through their dedication and often quiet service.
The award would not be possible without the active engagement of those making the nominations. It’s a very simple, just click the button below and fill out the form which asks for the reason you feel your nominee deserves the award, a few details about the nature of their involvement in town life, and suggestions about who else might know about their service. Simple!
We’re accepting nominations now through January 31st.
You can also mail your nomination to:
Joan Barthold
121 Pinnacle Rd
Lyme, NH 03768
Thank you! With your help, we look forward to honoring citizens who inspire others through their dedication and service.
Kathy Sherrieb - 2022
In 1999, a gift from Rachel Miller created the Lyme Citizen of the Year award, to be bestowed upon a Lyme citizen (or citizens) who have provided outstanding service to the Town of Lyme. This annual award honors those who have impacted and contributed to our town in a variety of ways. It is an award that is earned by townspeople who stand out in their efforts of service to the community. Past winners include Jim and Dayle Mason, Pat and Tony Pippin, Nancy Grandine, Becky Franklin, and Michael Whitman to name just a few.
This year’s recipient moved to Lyme with her husband in 1997 and has been a quiet and steady force in caring for Lyme folks in need of help—especially over the past two years. Many of us have needed a helping hand through the pandemic, and this individual has made it her duty to be there and foster community support.
Our honoree started her professional career as a nurse after earning a Bachelor of Science / Registered Nursing degree from the University of Wisconsin. She worked in several hospitals as a labor and delivery nurse, including in: Tuba City, AZ, where she worked for the Indian Health Service; as a visiting nurse in the Boston area; and as an outreach trainer for the Foundation for Children with AIDS in Boston. During that time, she earned a Masters degree in Community Health from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Masters in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.
Her first job in the Upper Valley was as director of the Pediatric HIV program at DHMC, which she did while finishing a Doctor of Public Health degree at the Harvard School of Public Health. After finishing her degree, she went to work at the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital in White River Junction as a researcher studying the conditions under which communities bounce back better or worse after a disaster (terrorist attack, hurricane, flood, etc.). That was followed by research and outreach on the effectiveness of various drug therapies for veterans w/ PTSD.
Her professional life of service to others is strongly reflected in her personal life of community service to Lyme. Many of us first encountered this individual as the coordinator of the Red Cross Blood Drives at Lyme Congregational Church or as an active board member of CommunityCare of Lyme. She has acted in many service roles to the community.
She served as a vital member of the food committee for Lyme’s 250th anniversary celebration, and also volunteered as a substitute teacher at the Lyme Nursery School. She has been a longtime member and chair of the Pearl Dimick Fund Committee. This has involved countless hours of communication with those who request grants, the executive board, the whole Pearl Dimick committee, and the community at large. Since the Pearl Dimick Fund Committee agreed to disperse the Lyme Foundation Covid Grants, the Lyme Fiber Grants, and the Woodard Fix-It Fund Grants, the job of the chairperson has expanded considerably. Amidst all of this, this particular individual also served on the Lyme Covid Response Team and extended her CommunityCare of Lyme leadership. Not only did she have the vision to launch the Lyme Food Pantry, she also established it as a sustainable resource for the community of Lyme and beyond. This has required countless hours of dedication. She identifies sources to supply the pantry, manages publicity, and recruits and trains the substantial and dedicated volunteer team that gathers, sorts, packs, and delivers the food each week. In addition, she has continued her longtime involvement with the Lyme Congregational Church Meals for Neighbors effort, which provides ready-to-eat meals for folks with a temporary inability to cook. She also contributes soup for the SouperCare program.
When she and her husband moved to town, they settled into Lyme Center in the former home of Pearl Dimick. We can only guess whether Pearl’s generous spirit called them to that place. It is fitting that our nominee would continue the commitment to service that’s been associated with Pearl.
Her tireless effort to help those in need among us—especially during the last two years, when the pandemic has made life difficult for so many—exemplifies the best in our community. This year, we are honored to present Kathy Sherrieb (pronounced “Share-rub”) with the Lyme Citizen of the Year award.
Former Citizens of the Year:
2021 Michael Whitman
2020 Jim and Dale Mason
2019 Pat and Tony Pippin
2018 Ellen Thompson
2017 Peggy Little and Paphanh Sithavady
2016 Nancy Elizabeth Grandine
2015 Kenneth Uline
2014 Earl and Beverly Strout
2013 Michael Hinsley
2012 Jean and Mike Smith
2011 Charles Balch
2010 Patty Jenks
2009 Carola Lea
2008 Bill Murphy
2007 Laura DeGoosh
2006 Betty Lee
2004 Fred Phillips
2003 Albert Pushee
2002 Don and Julia Elder
2001 Becky Franklin
2000 Kenneth Elder
1999 Dorcas Chaffee