Hudson residents honored by NH State Grange

Published: Thursday, November 5, 2009

Marie Hall, left, N.H. State Grange lecturer, presents the Community Citizen Award to Roger Coutu, with his wife, Doris, looking on.

Chief Shawn Murray congratualtes his employee, Helen Cheyne, on winning the Firefighter of the Year Award at the N.H. State Grange Convention.

Marie Hall, left, N.H. State Grange lecturer, presents the Community Citizen Award to Roger Coutu, with his wife, Doris, looking on.

HUDSON – The Hudson Grange has announced that two Hudson residents were honored at the 136th N.H. State Grange convention at the Ashworth by the Sea in Hampton on Oct. 31.

Hudson Grange Master Jerry Leclerc presented the Firefighter of the Year Award to Helen Cheyne.

Cheyne, hired in 2001, has become a valuable member of the Hudson Fire Department. Her primary responsibilities as administrative aide encompass working with the Fire Prevention Division and tracking of vendors for the department. She volunteers at the Hudson Police Department blood drives, Hudson Old Home Days and several other civic areas.

One of the areas that highlight Cheyne’s willingness to put her best effort forward was seen during the ice storm in December. She assisted the fire department with the staffing of the town-sponsored shelter. At the shelter, she assisted the citizens of Hudson with any needs they may have had.

The Community Citizen Award went to Roger Coutu. He distinguished himself in the statewide competition for two efforts he completed during his first year in office as one of the selectmen, including the completed the purchase of the former Benson Animal Park property from the state and for organizing a breakfast with the town’s seniors and Recreation Department immediately after taking office in his first appointment as a selectman.

Coutu has had many jobs and done lots of volunteer work, and now he and his wife own and operate Roger’s State Line Store.