Citizen of Year

Foster Preservation Society

Preservation Society "Citizen of the Year" Award

Citizen of the Year Award - 2012

George Newman was named "Citizen of the Year" for 2012 by the Foster Preservation Society. George, known to many as “Huffy”, a nickname given to him by his father, is this year’s recipient of the Foster Preservation Society’s Citizens Award. His dedication to the preservation of Foster should not go unrecognized. Along with his wife Kay (who has since passed away), George raised three children: Chuck, Danny & Tracey. At a very early age he became a volunteer firefighter and is now the longest running member of the South Foster Fire Department. He served in WWII in the Army Air Corps and was wounded during the war. Back home, he established a career in Forestry (DEM), starting as a Ranger and achieving the position of Head of Fire Control for the entire State of RI. George is an active member of the American Legion. Known as the Cookie Man, George delivers his baked goods to Nancy Ann Nursing Home as well as other locations. He is an avid woodworker. George has a passion for anything to do with the Civil War. George has been involved with the Old Home Days Committee for many years and can be seen every year volunteering at Old Home Days along with his fellow firefighters at the gate or any other job that is required of him.

He is an active member of the Foster Preservation Society, serving on the Archiving Committee, also known as the Wednesday Group, where he is known for saying “you’ve just got to read this!” He is on the Cemetery Committee, or the Thursday Group, going over hill and dale in search of graves that have been long lost to time. Besides the group members, he is sometimes accompanied by his son, Danny, on these treks.

Devoting a lifetime to the preservation of our Country and Homeland, and much closer, devoting a lifetime to the preservation our community, we are pleased to honor this year’s recipient, George Newman, with the Foster Preservation Society’s Citizens Award.

Citizen of the Year Award - 2011

Bruce Campbell was named "Citizen of the Year" for 2011 by the Foster Preservation Society. He is pictured here receiving the award from FPS President, Maggie Fennessey on Friday July 29, 2011 at Old Home Days. Bruce has been a resident of Foster since 1968. A Brown graduate and a gourmet cook who raises his own vegetables, he has established a scholarship at the University of Rhode Island. He belongs to the Narragansett Bay Commission as well as the Appalachian Hiking Club and has been a member of the both the Town Council and the Planning Board. In 1984 he bought a farm on Plain Woods Road and for the past three Barn Tours he has graciously allowed the Preservation Society to include his glorious barn in our tours.

Citizen of the Year Award - 2010

Walter Grass was named the "Citizen of the Year" for 2010 by the Foster Preservation Society. He is pictured here receiving the award from FPS President, Maggie Fennessey, at Old Home Days. Walter is the author of the book This Finnish Episode: Recalling the Finns in Foster, Rhode Island and its Surrounding Areas available from the Preservation Society. Click here to visit our Bookshop.

Citizen of the Year Award - 2009

Doug Thoman was named the "Citizen of the Year" for 2009 by the Foster Preservation Society for his many years of tireless work as caretaker of Spears Cemetery on North Road. He is pictured here receiving the award from FPS President, Maggie Fennessey, at the Friday night festivities of Old Home Days.

Citizen of the Year Award - 2008

Fred Mikkelsen was named the "Citizen of the Year" for 2008 by the Foster Preservation Society. Fred was the blacksmith at the Winsor Blacksmith shop presenting demonstrations of this old craft to shop visitors as well as working to maintain this small museum. Fred lives in Scituate but has been a faithful and enthusiastic supporter of the Preservation Society.

Community Service Award - 2007

Shirley Printer was recognized by the Foster Preservation Society as the winner of the 2005 Community Service Award. Shirley was offered our thanks for her many years as "Keeper of the Albums", an unofficial title, but a critically important job. Our albums of news articles about Foster detail history in the making so we chose to recognize Shirley's faithful behind the scenes efforts in collecting this information for posterity.

Community Service Award - 2005

Parke Burgess was recognized by the Foster Preservation Society as the winner of the 2005 Community Service Award. Parke was offered our thanks for his many years as overseer of the Winsor Blacksmith Shop.