Selfless couple, Town of Vernon Receptionist Honored Article | ReminderNews

Article ReminderNews:
"Selfless couple, And Town of Vernon receptionist honored
BY STEVE SMITH Staff Writer
Rockville — 06/01/2010

Trudy Roberts is well-known as the “face of the Vernon Town Hall,” as she has worked the front desk there for 22 years."

Outgoing Rotary President Randy Anagnostis called her an “unsung hero,” as he presented Roberts with the President’s Community Service Award at the Rotary Club of Rockville’s Awards and Installation Dinner Banquet on May 25 at Georgina’s in Bolton.

Mayor Jason McCoy (in photo to the left) presents an award to long time Town of Vernon employee Trudy Roberts for her dedication and services to Vernon residents. 

“She always has a smile and a warm welcome,” Anagnostis said. “She has information that has gathered over the years that none of us could retain. She could direct you to any department, any agency in town – the right person, the right individual.”

Roberts also brings flowers from her home garden to decorate downtown Rockville.
Humble while explaining her efforts, Roberts said, “I just help people.”

Roberts received a proclamation from Rep. Claire Janowski, a certificate of appreciation from the Town of Vernon, and a citation from Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

Stephen Bazzano and Director Risa Filkoff presented the Outstanding Citizens of the Year Award to Mark and Jamie Summers of Tolland.

The Summers’ corporation, CNC Software, Inc., employs 125 people and distributes CAD/CAM software to more than 135 locations in 50 countries.

Their facilities in Tolland are committed to the environment, and have been cooled and heated by geo-thermal and solar power for more than a decade, as evidenced by the behemoth array of solar panels visible near the building’s front parking lot. CNC Software also uses hybrid company cars, and encourages employees to contribute to, and harvest from, the company community garden.

Mark is also Chairman of the Tolland Energy Task Force. Filkoff said the couple supports more than two dozen local charitable organizations . “During these economic times, when many people are saying no to community organizations,” Filkoff said, “Mark and Jamie have been fortunate enough to say yes.”

Filkoff added the the Summerses also frequently lend “hands-on” involvement to the charities, including serving pancakes at the YMCA’s Breakfast with Santa to opening their company’s facilities for a phone-a-thon , while allowing a community band to rehearse in the building’s cellar.

“They are caring, humble, responsive to needs, pro-active and generous people who we treasure having in our community ,” Filkoff said. A check for $250 was also presented by the Rockville Rotary to the Summers’ charity of choice, Roots of Development .

Recipients of the Paul Harris Awards, for exceptional service by a Rotarian, included Filkoff, Past Presidents Steve Leibowitz, Jim Paganetti, and Dan Keune, as well as Keune’s father, Edward Keune.

The Rotary Club also installed its new officers for 2010-2011 , including President Liane Lombardi, Vice-President Thora Cowperthwaite, Treasurer Angela Atwater, Secretary Richard Slutsky, Sergeant at Arms Gene Skladnowski , and Directors Randy Anagnostis , Risa Filkoff, and Ben Hardy.

The Rotary Rose Sale, benefiting scholarships at three local high schools, is Friday, June 11, from 10-6 at the Vernon Circle Shopping Center. The Rotary Club is also preparing for its 12th annual Golf Tournament benefiting KidsSafe CT and other charities, on June 28, at the Elmcrest Country Club in East Longmeadow, Mass.

For more information, visit http://www.rotaryrockvillect.com/.