The Antrim Grange recognized residents James Panico, Patrick Cogan, Ray Sweeney and Sue and John Conklin at its annual community awards ceremony Wednesday at Antrim Town Hall.
The Conklins received the Community Citizens of the Year Award for their numerous contributions around the Antrim community.
Relaying a message from residents Bob and Sarah Edwards, Grange representative Beth Merrill said, “We first became acquainted with Sue and John as they became involved in the Lions Club over 10 years ago. They quickly became major servants to the community that the Lions Club serves.”
Merrill said that Sue has served on multiple Lions Club committees and has also served twice as president of the club. John was instrumental in expanding the Lions’ Eyesight School Screening initiative, which has helped identify potential eyesight challenges in local students.
Additionally, “they have worked tirelessly in support of the Grapevine’s many outreach projects, Avenue A [Teen Center], James A. Tuttle Library’s Linus Blanket Initiative, the Gregg Lake Ramp Project and so much more,” Merrill said.
James Panico received a Community Spirit Award for his leadership in restarting the town’s Festival of Trees after a three-year hiatus.
“When the original person who planned to be the leader … wasn’t able to do it, James stepped up and took the lead,” Merrill said.
Panico thanked the Grange for his award and said that the Festival of Trees was one of the first events his family attended after moving to Antrim in 2019, and he was disappointed that the event was postponed for three years due to the pandemic. He was glad to contribute to its return and hoped to continue to provide support for the festival in the future.
Patrick Cogan received the Community Educator Award for his work as a music educator at the Great Brook School, as well as his work organizing community craft fairs at the school. Additionally, he is an artist who sells his work through six different self-owned businesses.
“I go to school every day because of those kids,” he said. “That’s what drives me.”
Ray Sweeney received a Community Spirit Award for his work as a singing instructor at the Presbyterian Church.