"Unsung Heroes"

At left, Len Kotler, of the Manchester Lions Club, and at the far right, Dave Pardo, also of the Lions Club, nominated fellow Lion Joe Charbonneau for recognition as one of the community s Unsung Heroes. Charbonneau was awarded the plaque recognizing his community service Tuesday night. (Andrew McKeever Photo)

The recipients of this year's award were Roger and Penny Preuss, of Equinox Valley Nursery, and Lani Lovisa, of Burr and Burton Academy's Community Service program. 2011 recipients honored this week were Patti and Lou Midura from the Zion Episcopal Church, and Joe Charbonneau, of the Manchester Lions Club. The award is designed to recognize local citizens who make significant contributions to the community quietly and without fanfare, but because of their volunteer works, the community reaps enormous benefits.

Past award winners include:

1989 Gordon and Beatty

At left, Jessie Forrest stands with Patti and Lou Midura, two of the Unsung Heroes from 2011. The Miduras received their plaque and recognition during Tuesday night s Select Board meeting. (Andrew McKeever Photo)

1990 - Wayne Bell; Don Johnson; Ray and Lesley Purdy

1991 - Pete Cobb; Betty Clayton; Huguette Peck; Bill Drunsic

1992 - Helen Eaton; Fred Hansen; Clarence Decker; Ann Pierce

1993 - Rabbi Michael Cohen; Mary Nevin; Brian Hill

1994 - Marion Gaudette; Howard Wechsler; Gerrit Kouwenhoven

1995 - Maggie Ellis

1996 - Patti Barnes; Marshall Peck; Bill Weeks

1997 - Tara Dowden; Martha Roth Stevenson; Terry Tyler; Carol Lattuga

1998 - Donald Dorr; Patty Bourhill; Zoe Dailey; Jim Hand; Gail Busl

1999 - Seth Bongartz; Jenny Davis; Geoff Chapman

2000 - Patricia Carmichael; Paul Beaulieu; Joanna Taylor

2001 - Dom Penge; Bonnie Kilburn

2002 - Jack Clark

2003 - Dave

2004 - Martha Thompson

2005 - Len and Becky Kotler

2006 - None

2007 - None

2008 - Ray and Marie Ferrarin; Mary Miner

2009 - Kaki Fisher

2010 - Emmy McCusker; David Bentley

2011 - Lou and Patty Midura; Joe Charbonneau

2012 - Roger and Penny Preuss; Lani Lovisa

At left, Lani Lovisa of Burr and Burton Academy, was nominated for one of the Unsung Hero awards by her BBA colleague, Jen Hyatt, for her work with the school s community service program. Lovisa received her plaque along with three other winners Tuesday night. (Andrew McKeever Photo)

Roger and Penny Preuss, of the Equinox Valley Nursery, were recognized for their community service Tuesday night during the annual "Unsung Heroes" awards night. (Andrew McKeever Photo)