Two Haverhill volunteer organizations and a well-known local business person were honored at the Festival of Trees’ 2017 Annual Meeting. This year’s annual gathering, attended by nearly 150 Festival friends and supporters, was held at Methuen’s First Church Congregational – a long-time Festival Preservation Partner.
The Preservation Award
The Festival’s Preservation Award was presented to the Rocks Village Memorial Association and the East Parish Meeting House Society – non-profit, volunteer-based organizations that have worked to preserve two of Haverhill’s historic treasures. According to Festival President Sharon M. Pollard, “These organizations share the Festival’s core commitment to preserving the rich history of our communities.” She added, “We’re proud to have them as Preservation Partners and we’re happy to solute their great work with this recognition.”
This year, in recognition of Sharon Pollard’s leadership of the Festival of Trees, the Board announced the preservation award will now be known as the ‘Sharon M. Pollard Preservation Award.’ Sharon is the Founder of the Festival and completed two terms as president of the Board at this year’s annual meeting.
Prior recipients of the preservation award include: Charles (2009), Leonard Brown (2010), Angelo Petrozzelli (2011), David A. D’Apice (2012), Raymond E. DiFiore (2014), Sisters of the Presentation of Mary (2015), the City of Methuen and the Union Congregational Church Restoration and Preservation Alliance (2016).
Special Friend of the Festival
Initiated during the Festival’s 20th Emerald Anniversary in 2013, the Special Friend of the Festival Award was established to recognize an individual, business or organization that has made an important commitment to the success and growth of the Festival of Trees over several years. This year, the Festival was honored to recognize Cindy Parnagian, president and founder of The Party Connection, as a Special Friend of the Festival.
“Cindy and her Party Connection Team have been a special part of the Festival of Trees for many years,” said Festival President Sharon Pollard. In addition to providing quality catering services for Festival events, they have decorated trees, donated to the Festival Auction, and generously supported the Taste of the Festival. “In fact, Cindy and her team have always been there to support the Festival and our mission of historic preservation,” Pollard added.
Other Special Friends include: Charles/Charles Beauty Wellness, Inc. (2013), Dr. Tom and Sandra Perrault/Perrault Chiropractic Offices (2013), Mike and Maureen Pollard/The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home (2013), Andy and Nancy Carace/Pest-End Exterminators (2013), Doreen Miner (2013), Macy’s (2015), and The Fitzgerald Family/Mann Orchards (2016).
