Chamber honors citizen and organization of the year

On Saturday, March 4, at the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 101st Annual Meeting Event, the chamber hosted an awards ceremony honoring the 2016 Citizen of the Year, Christian Craig, and the 2016 Organization of the Year, The Hartness House Inn and Tavern.


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2017-03-11 / Local Springfield chamber honors citizen and organization of the year The Hartness House Inn and Tavern Executive Chef Nick Matush and Jenevieve Johnson, manager and chief INNovator celebrate after being honored at the 2016 Organization of the Year at the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 101st Annual Meeting Event on March 4. (Courtesy) The Hartness House Inn and Tavern Executive Chef Nick Matush and Jenevieve Johnson, manager and chief INNovator celebrate after being honored at the 2016 Organization of the Year at the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 101st Annual Meeting Event on March 4. (Courtesy) SPRINGFIELD — On Saturday, March 4, at the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 101st Annual Meeting Event, the chamber hosted an awards ceremony honoring the 2016 Citizen of the Year, Christian Craig, and the 2016 Organization of the Year, The Hartness House Inn and Tavern. The event was held at the Hartness House with many local chamber members in attendance. Emcee Brian Hernon of HB Energy Solutions introduced Paul Kendall of Lawrence and Wheeler Insurance to announce the Citizen of the Year. As is the tradition, Kendall's speech was carefully constructed to purposely build suspense and prolong the anticipation of the big announcement. He spoke of someone who has done a lot for our community, someone who loves Springfield, who believes in the chamber of commerce, and who would do anything for the town. This person, Kendall said, has a great sense of humor, is a New England Patriots fan, as well as a fan of the Springfield Cosmos. He supports Springfield Hospital, Parks and Rec programs, and is an active member in local civic organizations. This person is a great presenter and teacher, happily married, and a role model to many. This person has been very involved with the Vermont Apple Festival, as well as the Winter Carnival. Craig helped to build the new playground at Riverside, participates in the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, and has helped out the Community Health Team, Project Action and the Springfield Prevention Coalition. He was a devoted mentor for a student in the local Let’s Do Lunch program. He was a class participant, and is now on the steering committee for the Leadership Southeast Vermont Program. He was a Rotarian President, and Chamber President for two consecutive years. He was a soccer coach and led his Springfield Girls Varsity Team to the State Championship game. He is the Executive Director of the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center. He leads by example, brings out the best in all those he works with, is instrumental in getting young people involved in the community, goes the extra mile, and constantly puts others and our town on the top of his list. He has a strong work ethic, and the tenacity and perseverance to accomplish any task. He is personable, fun to be around, and has a kind and giving heart. He has a beautiful family, whom he adores, with his wonderful wife Lizzy and their two children Addison and Mac. Sue Hernon of HB Energy Solutions (2015 Organization of the Year) then took the stage to announce the Organization of the Year, The Hartness House Inn and Tavern. She spoke about an organization that recognizes the importance of supporting local businesses and that has successfully incorporated this ideal into its core. The business supports community events and proactively seeks out ways to brighten our community. This organization supports local civic and even religious groups, having a positive impact on our community. This business has been there for Springfield through its most prosperous times and withstood great challenges during more difficult times. The organization has invested in our community, demonstrating its determination to be a leading business in this town and region. While many businesses have cut back on quality to chase market share, this business has raised the bar for its competition, prioritizing quality and trusting in this community to recognize its value. This business is a local treasure which through investment and much hard work by its management is not just an asset, but a business the whole community is proud to call its own. This business supports the local arts and sciences across a broad spectrum. It is a valued member of the chamber and hosts well attended mixers. This business has reinvented itself by reviving its roots which brought it such success in the past. The business not only supports but also showcases our local farms and brewery. This business displays the work of a local painter. The business is a gathering place for lovers of music, through its hosting of both live bands as well as the Springfield Community Band. It was the host and a major sponsor of the Vermont Steampunk Festival. They host weekly Rotary meetings and events, the Community Raffle drawing and Theology on Tap, to name a few. This business provides space to and houses the Hartness-Porter Museum of Amateur Telescope Making, providing tours through the museum and its historic tunnels, free of charge. This business has demonstrated that investment in Springfield brings dividends for both the business and the community. This Inn and restaurant consistently serves the best tasting and incredibly diverse entrees and beverages we have all come to enjoy. Congratulations to the winners, and thank you for all that you do to help make Springfield a wonderful place to live, work and play! Craig, Hartness House honored Rutland Herald | March 11, 2017 By SUSAN SMALLHEER STAFF WRITER Christian Craig, executive director of the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center, was named Citizen of the Year by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce. Pictured with him is his wife, Lizzy Craig. PROVIDED PHOTO Christian Craig, executive director of the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center, was named Citizen of the Year by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce. Pictured with him is his wife, Lizzy Craig. PROVIDED PHOTO SPRINGFIELD — Christian Craig, executive director of the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center, is Springfield’s Citizen of the Year. The Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce made the announcement last weekend at its annual meeting. Also winning top recognition was The Hartness House Inn and Tavern, which was named Organization of the Year. Craig, 39, has lived and worked in Springfield for the past 10 years, all of it associated with the Edgar May Center. But Craig said Friday his proudest community achievement was the six years he participated in Windsor County Partners’ “Let’s Do Lunch” mentoring program, and the Leadership Southeast Vermont Program. Caitlin Christiana, executive director of the Chamber, said Craig was “tireless” in working and volunteering his time to community groups. “He’s a great choice,” she said. Paul Kendall gave a speech leading up to Craig’s honor, listing all of his accomplishments: former president of the Springfield Rotary Club, former president of the Springfield chamber and involvement with the Vermont Apple Festival and the Springfield Winter Carnival. Kendall noted Craig helped build the new playground at Riverside Park, and was also the coach for the Springfield High School girls’ varsity soccer team which played in the state championship game. “He leads by example, brings out the best in all those he works with, is instrumental in getting young people involved in the community, goes the extra mile and constantly puts others and our town on the top of his list,” Kendall said. Craig said he was very surprised at the award. Even though he’s been very involved in the Chamber in the past, he said he never would have considered himself for the award. There are so many other people, he said, who are worthy of the award. Craig first came to the Edgar May Center as a “loaner” from the Burlington YMCA and he was hired in January 2007 to the first executive director of the new health and recreation center. He and his wife, Lizzy, are parents to two young children, Addison, 4, and Mac, 2. He said since the birth of his children he hasn’t been able to volunteer and give to the community as much as he’d like. “They are busy kids,” he said. The Hartness House Inn and Tavern won the organization award, and was singled out for being in existence for Springfield “through its most prosperous times and withstood great challenges during more difficult times.” “The organization has invested in our community, demonstrating its determination to be a leading business in this town and region,” said Sue Hernon, who introduced the Hartness House winners, general manager Jenevieve Johnson and executive chef Nick Matush. The Hartness House Inn “has reinvented itself by reviving its roots which brought it such success in the past,” Hernon said. “It not only supports but also showcases our local farms and brewery,” she added. “This business has demonstrated that investment in Springfield brings dividends for both the business and the community,” he said. Johnson said the inn put in a new restaurant and tavern last summer, and sponsors local music as well. “We’re doing a ton of renovations on the property,” she said. “We’ve kind of doing everything.”