Ron Jillian's, D.F. Richard Take Home Big Honors at Chamber Awards Dinner

The following businesses, groups and individuals received recognition at the annual Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce awards dinner Thursday.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Presented to

SEABROOK COMMUNITY TABLE

In sincere appreciation and recognition for dedicated service to Seabrook and the surrounding communities.

The Seabrook Community Table opened its doors on February 2nd,
2009 providing Seabrook residents and surrounding communities
free, home cooked meals for those in need in our distressed
economy.

The idea originated from the school nurse, Mary MacInnes, at a
Seabrook Lions Club meeting. Joyce Addison, being a lifelong
resident, knew the need was there and with great determination,
made it happen.

There are different teams every night, each cooking and serving
every month. These volunteers cook out of their own kitchens and
serve 3 nights a week from 5-6pm; an average evening consists of
30-45 people, sometimes more.

The Seabrook Community Table is a nonprofit organization
receiving most of its funding from local businesses and private
donation. The town of Seabrook is a main financial contributor
helping with things like paper products, other supplies and food
items, including Pizza Hut, who has donated pizza and sometimes
pasta every night since its inception.

FAITH IN THE FUTURE AWARD

Presented to

RON JILLIAN’S

Having demonstrated faith in the future of Hampton through continuing commitment to revitalization of the hospitality community.

This story started in November 2006. This couple had been looking to make the next step in the Food Business. After having run a small bakery and catering service they wanted to attain a restaurant. They identified certain demographic areas where they thought they could be successful.

Coming up in the restaurant business he had worked in Hampton before. Back in the 1979-1981 he was a line cook at the Ashworth Hotel. He worked with Mike Higgins (of the Old Salt) back then and they became friends. He knew Mike’s whole family back then, and even did a few summer stints at the Old Salt on the beach. He then worked with Ron Boucher at Ron’s Beach House at Plaice Cove in the late 80’s. He got to know quite a few people in Hampton
and always liked the area. So naturally Hampton was a focus for them.

As a kid growing up in Newburyport there were smaller neighborhood restaurants that they frequented as a family. In those places you saw your friends, neighbors and other towns’ folk with familiar faces. Food was prepared fresh, drinks were reasonably priced and the atmosphere was casual and lively. That’s what they found when they purchased and began running Ron Jillian’s in 2006.

They quickly began to meet and become acquainted with many of their regular customers. The community was, and has been very welcoming and supportive. Within a few years business demands outgrew that location and they began looking for a new site. Luckily a property became available in the neighborhood and they moved into the old bank building just down the street from the original location. This was all accomplished with the direct help of many of their regular customers and now friends. Site work and excavation, real estate representation, demolition, renovation, electrical and plumbing work needed to be done.

They found that the town departments were all very encouraging and helpful in getting the project moving and completed. They want to thank a lot of people and are very grateful for the tremendous support they have received from the entire community.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Presented to

BETTY and BEN MOORE

In sincere appreciation for years of dedication, volunteerism, and support to the Hampton community.

This couple moved to Hampton in November of 1984 with their two sons Jason and Greg.

He was a sports father, the team coach and treasurer of Cub Scout Pack 177, past member of the Hampton Rotary Club serving as President in 1995-1996, one of the founding members of James House Association and president from 1995- 1997, trustee of Experience Hampton since its founding in 2010, the treasurer Hampton Historical Society and is involved with all activities of the organization, president of the historical society from 2003- 2005 and 2009-2012 and currently serves as treasurer. Also involved in Local government he served as selectman 2005 – 2008, State Representative from 2006 – 2008 and currently serves as a Hampton Selectman.

One Sunday afternoon he and his son had been gone for an extremely long time. When he came back in he said that they had ridden past the Tuck Museum and stopped in. There Roland Paige entertained them for the whole afternoon giving them tours of the buildings.

Rollie spent so much time with them that before leaving Ben wanted to make a
donation and had $25 in his billfold, so he signed his wife up as a lifetime member.

Since 1988 she has been the volunteer coordinator for the Hampton Historical Society, President in 1993, and after attending the museum studies program at Tufts University has been the executive director since 2001.

She too has been involved in Local government as Supervisor of the checklist 1994-2000 and Poll worker for supervisors until 2010; alternate to the Hampton Heritage Commission 1996-1998. She developed the education program for the James House Association in 1995. As a member of the Hampton Garden Club from 1999- 2009, she served as their president in 2001. She volunteers for Friends of the Library. She too, has been part of the Experience Hampton parade committee, the Hampton Arts Network and currently serves on the Board of Directors , she was a cub scout leader from 1985-1991 and troop committee chair and Hampton Historical Society – 1988-present. They’ve both said that they turned into professional volunteers in 2003.

It is an honor and a privilege to award this year’s Special Recognition Award to Ben and Betty Moore.

SEAFOOD FESTIVAL AWARD

Presented to

AMANDA LAGRUTTA

In sincere appreciation for years of dedication, volunteerism, and support to the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival.

This year’s recipient has been involved with the Seafood Festival since 2005. For 8 years now she has taken on the challenge and brought it to the next
level. It is by far one of the most challenging jobs at the Seafood Festival.
She’s in charge of entertaining children for 2 days straight! Amanda Lagrutta
manages all of the entertainers, vendors, games and rides in Kiddieland. She
starts meeting and scheduling with me now, in the winter months to prepare for
September. Amanda has many hysterical yet awful stories she can tell you of
her experiences, many involve bodily fluids that I cannot repeat here tonight.
Although it’s not the most glamorous job, Amanda is truly a kid at heart and every time I walk by Kiddieland there’s Amanda with a big smile on her face, dancing, singing and clapping with the children. It takes a very special, talented, patient and caring person to entertain hundreds of children for two days straight and I truly believe that there is no better person on this earth who could handle it like Amanda does, with that big smile.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented to

D. F. RICHARD ENERGY

In recognition of continued innovation in business and uncompromising commitment to community service.

The year was 1932, and Daniel F. Richard and his wife Armande were raising their family of three boys, Norm, Ray and Bob. He started the D. F. Richard Oil Company from the kitchen in the family home, with Armande handling the office and Dan making the deliveries and the repairs. Dan belonged and believed in several civic organizations and participated in many community projects.

Several significant acquisitions occurred in the 80’s, with the addition of the Scott Oil Co. (1981) and Duffy Oil (1983), both in Somersworth NH. The Dining Energy Co. was acquired in 1987 which included under their umbrella The Dining Oil Co, in Exeter, the Tibbett’s Oil Co. in Rye and Marcotte Oil Co., in Raymond. In 1989 The Granite State Oil Co. was acquired in Deerfield. This expansive acquisition launched D.F. Richard into Rockingham County which opened up the entire county not only for their existing oil accounts but a large client base to promote Propane gas expansion as well.

After the turn into the twenty-first century, the additional acquisitions in 2001 of Garthwaite & Green of Wells, Maine, and A. I. Welch of Raymond expanded the company’s presence, both in York County, Maine and the western part of Rockingham County. In 2005 a small start-up oil dealer in North Hampton decided to concentrate on equipment installations and the oil delivery part of his business was purchased.

D.F. Richard Energy is constantly donating to organizations submitted by customers’ that range from supporting a church bazaar to a child building a car for the soapbox derby or a project graduation event.

In addition, the connections they find instrumental are the ones that they make through the many chambers they belong to which include 11 in the seacoast area and southern Maine. They are a member of the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce and strong supporters of many events including presenting sponsor of our annual Holiday Auction.

Their contributions are not limited to monetary means but also include volunteering and donations of oil or propane where needed. They epitomize the art of giving back as they have donated to more than their share of charities and non-profit organizations throughout their entire area.

Today, Ray, Bob and Sister Anita continue to operate D.F. Richard Energy, which services close to 15,000 customers in the Strafford and Rockingham counties and York County, Maine along with their office in North Hampton New Hampshire and the home Administrative Office in Dover.

Here to accept the award is Dan Richard, grandson of the founder.

These are the outgoing and incoming Board Chairmen:

DEAN MERRILL
Tobey & Merrill Insurance
Serving as Chairman of the Board
2011 – 2012


PAUL LEPERE
The Hamptons Real Estate
Incoming Chairman of the Board
2013-2014