There is an article in today's Caledonian Record about Ben Harris, a long-time Joe's Pond Association member, who was honored on Monday night for his 70 years of service to Kiwanis. I've known Ben and Rosalie Harris for a long time and have been well aware of their dedication to their community, but I had no idea of just how many organizations they have supported over the years. The following details of their service are from the account by Caledonian Record reporter Jeanne Miles.

Ben was on hand when St. Johnsbury's Kiwanis swimming pool was being built between 1939 and 1944, and he also was part of the groups working to charter the Montpelier Kiwanis club in 1939 and the Hardwick Kiwanis in 1941. We congratulate Ben who, at age 96, still attends club meetings and takes great pride in his community. He and his wife, Rosalie, have been married for 66 years (their anniversary was February 1, also Ben's birthday!) and both have worked tirelessly in their community. They have volunteered many hours of service to organizations.

Ben won a Lifetime Achievement Award, and both Ben and Rosalie were given the Community National Bank's Community Service Award in 2005. He is a member of SCORE, Service Corps of Retired Executives; a member of Lyndon State College's visitors' board; has served as temple president, vice president and treasurer of Beth El Synagogue.

Rosalie has been on the board of St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, Fairbanks Museum and Gilman Housing Trust, is a founding member of Caledonia Home Health Care and the Lyndon State College Foundation, a volunteer at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, Beth El Synagogue and St. Johnsbury schools. She has been recognized for her community service with the Citizen of the Year Award in 1978 and in 1994 was recognized by the Governor's Commission on Volunteers.

Ben retired in 1982 from Nate's Men's Clothiers, a business started in St. Albans in 1933 by Ben and his brother, Nate. The brothers opened a store in Montpelier in 1938, St. Johnsbury in 1949, and Burlington in 1958. Ben ran the St. Johnsbury store, and with Rosalie raised three children, Gertrude, Andrea and William.

We are happy and proud that Ben and Rosalie have been recognized for their hard work and dedication. Their kindness and generosity has always extended to their friends and family, and Joe's Pond Association has more than a few times benefited from their willing support. I know they look forward to spending time at their cottage on Old Homestead Road each summer just as their friends and neighbors here look forward to seeing them. We wish them both good health and continued happiness in their work, and our sincere congratulations.