Bernie Temple named Ashland’s Citizen of the Year Temple honored for dedication to scouting and tow
By Theresa Knapp
At the Oct. 4 meeting of the Ashland Select Board, the Ashland Day Committee and the Select Board recognized Bernard “Bernie” Temple as Citizen of the Year for his devotion to scouting and to the Town of Ashland.
The award was originally scheduled to be presented at Ashland Day in September but the event was canceled due to forecasted rain.
The award was presented by Ashland Day Committee member Joseph J Magnani, Jr. (also a member of the Select Board) to Temple at Town Hall surrounded by a room full of friends, family, and scouts. Magnani presented the trophy and presented a speech in which he said Temple has been involved with Ashland Boy Scouts (first Troop 23, now Troop 232) for more than 17 years, and has helped guide 53 scouts to Eagle Scout. He has also been active with the public schools, the Lions, the food pantry, Saint Cecelia’s Parish, and other community organizations.
Pointing to the scouts in the room, Magnani said, “This is it right here; this is our heritage, this is the history of Ashland right here with scouts like you. Eagle Scout, that’s what you strive for, and Ashland has been very fortunate to have great leadership with the Boy Scouts to become Eagle Scouts.”
Magnani continued, “Congratulations, sir. You are a leader and a half, and you are a prime example of what a role model should be for Ashland so, thank you very much.”
Temple said a quiet “Thank you.”
Select Board member Brandi Kinsman said, “This is quite the legacy that you’ve built…Thank you for all that you’ve done on behalf of our community because you’ve made our community a much better place.”
Select Board Chair Robert Scherer read a proclamation thanking Temple for his volunteerism and declaring September 23, 2023 as “Bernie Temple Day” in the Town of Ashland.
The presentation ended with a group photo that included many scouts.
Later in the month, at the Oct. 18 meeting of the Select Board, Temple was also honored by Sen. Karen E. Spilka and Rep. Jack Lewis.
Lewis presented an official citation of recognition from the House of Representatives; and Spilka presented an official citation of recognition from the State Senate.
At the Oct. 18 meeting, Temple acknowledged he had been a bit overwhelmed at the Oct. 4 meeting. He said, “I wasn’t quite expecting that; this means a lot…I’m appreciative of all of you [to the Select Board members]. Thank you very much.”
For the full ceremony on Oct. 4, visit bit.ly/AshlandSB10042023 (start at minute 10:16)
At the Oct. 4 meeting of the Ashland Select Board, the Ashland Day Committee and the Select Board recognized Bernard “Bernie” Temple as Citizen of the Year for his devotion to scouting and to the Town of Ashland.
The award was originally scheduled to be presented at Ashland Day in September but the event was canceled due to forecasted rain.
The award was presented by Ashland Day Committee member Joseph J Magnani, Jr. (also a member of the Select Board) to Temple at Town Hall surrounded by a room full of friends, family, and scouts. Magnani presented the trophy and presented a speech in which he said Temple has been involved with Ashland Boy Scouts (first Troop 23, now Troop 232) for more than 17 years, and has helped guide 53 scouts to Eagle Scout. He has also been active with the public schools, the Lions, the food pantry, Saint Cecelia’s Parish, and other community organizations.
Pointing to the scouts in the room, Magnani said, “This is it right here; this is our heritage, this is the history of Ashland right here with scouts like you. Eagle Scout, that’s what you strive for, and Ashland has been very fortunate to have great leadership with the Boy Scouts to become Eagle Scouts.”
Magnani continued, “Congratulations, sir. You are a leader and a half, and you are a prime example of what a role model should be for Ashland so, thank you very much.”
Temple said a quiet “Thank you.”
Select Board member Brandi Kinsman said, “This is quite the legacy that you’ve built…Thank you for all that you’ve done on behalf of our community because you’ve made our community a much better place.”
Select Board Chair Robert Scherer read a proclamation thanking Temple for his volunteerism and declaring September 23, 2023 as “Bernie Temple Day” in the Town of Ashland.
The presentation ended with a group photo that included many scouts.
Later in the month, at the Oct. 18 meeting of the Select Board, Temple was also honored by Sen. Karen E. Spilka and Rep. Jack Lewis.
Lewis presented an official citation of recognition from the House of Representatives; and Spilka presented an official citation of recognition from the State Senate.
At the Oct. 18 meeting, Temple acknowledged he had been a bit overwhelmed at the Oct. 4 meeting. He said, “I wasn’t quite expecting that; this means a lot…I’m appreciative of all of you [to the Select Board members]. Thank you very much.”
For the full ceremony on Oct. 4, visit bit.ly/AshlandSB10042023 (start at minute 10:16)
