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White Mountain Treasures Announced at 2007 Annual Meeting.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 24, 2007
CONTACT: Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331or info@maynelymarketing.com
95th Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce - Annual Meeting Honors White Mountains Treasures North Conway, NH - The 95th Annual meeting of the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce convened yesterday, October 23, at King Pine Ski Lodge in Madison, NH. Reports from the Mt. Washington Valley Board of Directors and Janice Crawford, Executive Director, provided insight into the chamber's strong financial stability and active destination marketing programs. The highlight of the evening was the resurrection of a tradition gone by. The White Mountains Treasure Program was reinstated after a decade and a half of dormancy. Twelve individuals who've made significant contributions to the Mt. Washington Valley's community development were honored.
The evening began with a Treasurer's report, stating that an independent audit confirmed an A+ rating for the chamber's strong financial stability. Janice Crawford went on to explain the components of the chamber's $$838,940 budget with 67.5% ($567,046) spent on a destination marketing program including shopping, skiing, and golf direct mail campaigns, a new motorcycle adventure program, conference marketing programs and more. Marti Mayne described the Mt. Washington Valley PR campaign, noting that close to $1 million in coverage was obtained for the Valley in FY 2006. Additionally, Marti explained a new winter campaign geared toward providing up-to-date information to meteorologists, supported by the thirteen Mt Washington Valley ski resorts and XC Centers.
During dinner, the twelve individuals honored as White Mountains Treasures were introduced. Each honoree was given a special book of White Mountain poems, a glass award and a flag flown over the U.S. Capital, provided by NH Senator John Sununu. "Tonight's honorees have had an immeasurable impact on our community's development," stated Jonathan Rivers, President of the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. "Without them we would not have the very important social services, arts and culture, business support, municipal governance, tourism industry, entrepreneurism and journalistic efforts that have gone into making our valley a quality place to live, raise a family and work," finished Rivers.
The twelve White Mountains Treasures were:
Cynthia "Cindy" Briggs, honored for her service on the Conway Planning Board, Conway Selectman (the first woman elected), New Hampshire Municipal Association, Mt. Washington Valley Preservation Association, North Conway Village Association Committee and the Pequawket Foundation, plus her dedication to finding a solution to the traffic congestion in Mt. Washington Valley.
Jac Cuddy, was honored for his work on the Conway Budget Committee, and his commitment to the Mt. Washington Valley Economic Council and the new Technology Center. Additionally, Jac's volunteer efforts spanned from MWV School to Career Partnership to SCORE, Arts Jubilee, Red Cross, and the Junior Ski Program at Cranmore.
Steve Eastman, co-founder of the Mountain Ear was honored for his journalistic contribution to the Valley, developing "the weekly lifestyle and news journal of Mt. Washington Valley". He served on committees to raise funds for Memorial Hospital, Jen's Friends, and countless community organizations which have benefited from his brainchild, the Mud Bowl.
Phil Gravink was recognized for his contributions to Mt. Washington Valley's ski activities and businesses including Ski The Whites, National Ski Areas Association, Ski NH, Jackson Ski Touring, Friends of Tuckerman, Mount Washington Observatory and his fundraising contributions to the New England Ski Museum.
Dick Hamilton was recognized for his devotion to the White Mountains tourism community, serving as the first Executive Director of Ski 93, founder of the New Hampshire Travel Council, co-founder of Discover New England, and President of White Mountains Attractions Association for thirty five years.
Laura Mahoney, raised in Mt. Washington Valley, was acknowledged for her contributions to Purity Spring Resort, Eaton School Board, the Junior Ski Program and John Fuller Elementary reading program.
Glenna Mori was recognized for her contribution to Mt Washington Valley's senior programs including Meals on Wheels and the Senior Wheels Program. She was the driving force behind bringing the social service center to the Gibson Center for Senior Services to fruition.
R. Stoning "Stoney" Morrell was recognized for his innumerable contributions to the Mt. Washington Valley through his ownership of Story Land and his support of many community organizations including White Mountains Attractions, Conway Area Humane Society, Memorial Hospital, Ham Arena, Polar Express, Project Graduation and many more.
Rowland "Kim" Perkins, was honored for more than 40-years of service to the North Conway Community Center and his dedication to fundraising and volunteerism, serving to lessen the financial burden on families with children participating in programs at the center.
Linda Pinkham was recognized for her contribution to Mt. Washington Valley's theater programs as co-founder of the Resort Players, now the Mt. Washington Valley Theater Company and tireless dedication to the Eastern Slope Playhouse.
Ruth Reny was acknowledged for her volunteer activities at Memorial Hospital and Merriman House. An avid skier at age 85, she still never misses a day of skiing while tirelessly visiting patients at the hospital and maintaining the hospital's gift shop.
Herbert Schneider was honored for his contribution to the ski industry and outdoor recreation in Mt. Washington Valley as a Board member for the Carroll County Trust Company, White Mountain Recreation Association, Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.
The White Mountain Treasures Program, sponsored this year by Coldwell Banker Wright Realty, will become an annual award program offered through the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. A nomination process is under development.
For more information on the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce and the White Mountain Legend Program, please visit http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/ or call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364). # # #
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