Chamber Announces Citizen of the Year and Business Leader of the Year

Peterborough, NH -- The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce has recently announced the honorees for its annual Citizen of the Year and Business Leader of the Year awards for 2008. According to Executive Director Jack Burnett, the selections represent "the very best personal qualities that the region has to offer."

Hope Pettegrew, who resides in Hancock with her husband Bob, has been selected as Citizen of the Year. While she is perhaps best known as board president and moving force behind the Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter (MATS) and co-founder of Cobblestone Magazine, Pettegrew has also been involved as a Brownie leader; American Cancer Society representative; Monadnock United Way board and committee member; and Wheaton College board member. In addition, she has been a volunteer at the Peterborough Players for more than 30 years and is currently the co-chair of the Players' 75th Anniversary committee, and is also a board member of the Peterborough Historical Society.

As one letter of recommendation for Pettegrew noted: "She is more than a volunteer. She is an example of -- and, more importantly, a teacher of -- compassion, generosity, kindness, and loyalty. Her love of family, friends, and community are a lesson to all, young and old."

For Bob Edwards of Ocean Bank, 2008 Business Leader of the Year, similar words were also used: "No job is too big or too small for Bob to tackle, as long as it will benefit someone. You literally could not count the good deeds he has done both inside and outside of business."

Edwards, who lives in Antrim with wife Sarah and family, has been a commercial lender at Ocean Bank for 38 years, as well as a past board member and chair of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce. He was also a founding member of the Chamber's Business Support Committee, and this year also participated on the Peterborough Welcome Sign Committee. In addition, Edwards has served as secretary/treasurer of the Contoocook Valley Housing Trust; been a 35-year member of the Lions Club and recipient of the Melvin Jones Award; is a trustee of the Maplewood Cemetery Association; and has been involved in numerous other Antrim activities, including the Planning Board, TIF Committee, Open Space Committee, Growth Management Committee, and Master Plan Committee. Edwards also is an Antrim Trustee of Trust Funds and serves on the Antrim Educational Scholarship Committee.

"On behalf of the Chamber board and all of our 340 members, I would like to congratulate our winners," said Burnett. "They continue a long line of excellence in these awards that is reflected not only in their own nominations but also in the quality of the other unbelievably good nominations that we received this year. It is very humbling and truly an honor for the Peterborough Chamber to be able to do this."

Pettegrew and Edwards will be feted at the Chamber's gala annual awards banquet on Tuesday evening, February 12, at Monadnock Country Club in Peterborough. Tickets are $44, sold in advance only on a first-come, first-served basis. To place a reservation, please call the Peterborough Chamber at 924-7234 or email pcrook@greater-peterborough-chamber.com.

The banquet will begin with cocktails at 6 pm, followed by dinner at 7 pm.