Andover Service Club Honors Two Members

Irene Jewett and Gisela Darling, for outstanding service

July 21, 2014 • Saved under Andover Organizations
By Mary T. Ofenloch, Andover Service Club, President
Gisela Darling with her Honorary Membership award from the Andover Service Club. Irene Jewett received hers at an earlier meeting; her photo was in the July issue of the Beacon. Photo: Mary Ofenloch
Gisela Darling with her Honorary Membership award from the Andover Service Club. Irene Jewett received hers at an earlier meeting; her photo was in the July issue of the Beacon. Photo: Mary Ofenloch

Since 1958, when the Andover Service Club (ASC) was formed, there have been outstanding members who have spent many hours volunteering to serve the community. Ladies work at the ASC Thrift Shop; help with fundraising events, pie, and bake sales; make and serve election day lunches, etc. The finances raised by these activities help to fund ASC scholarships, the Andover Food Pantry, The Andover Beacon, the Scouts, AE/MS, Danbury School, Kearsarge Council on Aging, the Blazing Star Grange, the Northern Rail Trail, Child and Family Services, and many more.

To recognize these hard-working ladies, the Executive Board awards honorary memberships for many years of service. In the past, honorees have included Margaret Fenton, Ruth Fopiano, Arlyne French, Marjorie Leber, Julie Mayo, Rosalie Ovenden, Grace Stetson, and Barbara Upton.

This year, on June 11 at 74 Main in New London during the annual June meeting and luncheon, Irene Jewett, an ASC member for many years, received the Honorary Member Award. Irene has been a volunteer worker at the Thrift Shop, a refreshment hostess at ASC meetings, chair of Mason’s dinners, liaison with the Andover Congregational Church and the Highland Lake Grange Hall, and a willing volunteer whenever her help was needed.

Gisela Darling was the second honoree, but was unable to attend the June luncheon. Therefore, the Executive Board presented the Honorary Member Award to her during a special lunch at The Graze on July 11. Gisela was past president from 2001 to 2003 and chairlady of the Thrift Shop from 2004 to the present day. She also volunteers whenever she is needed.

There are many deserving members, and choosing an Honorary Member is not taken lightly. ASC bylaws’ criteria states “a member who has given outstanding service to the club may be proposed to the Executive Board for election by the board. For such members, dues will not be required.” The last time the award was presented was in June, 2011.

Choosing the honoree has always been difficult, because there are so many deserving members. The Executive Board applauds all of the ladies who work so diligently to fulfill the mission of ASC. They are all wonderful!

For more information about the ASC, e-mail Mary Ofenloch, President, at MaryO.ASClub@nulllive.com.