A Double Ruse Surprised them Both

By Rob St.Germain, Contributing Writer

 What is better than surprising one person receiving an award? Answer – surprising two people, especially two people who live together. Skillful Joe Magnani, Ashland Select Board Chair and organizing committee member, urged secrecy, reached out to both individuals, asking each of them to provide information about the other, and it worked!

Citizens of the Year trophy. Courtesy photo

 On Oct. 4, as part of Ashland Day, Steve and Bonnie Mitchell were jointly awarded the distinguished Citizen of the Year award. Along with a beautiful glass trophy, the couple received congratulatory citations from Karen Spilka, President of the Massachusetts Senate, and Jack Lewis, Representative of the Massachusetts House.

Michael Herbert, Town Manager, offered the following response in his weekly newsletter, “It's impossible to overstate [Steve’s and Bonnie’s] impact on our town. Steve has served on the Finance Committee and Select Board for many years, in addition to roles such as board member of the Farmers Market. Bonnie has been a member of the Cultural Council and is currently a Library Trustee.”

“But their public service extends far beyond board and committee work,” Herbert continued. “They are the neighbors who show up, the residents who care deeply, and the citizens who make Ashland stronger simply by being part of it.”

Show up indeed!  These two people have served as examples for many.  

“Their sweat equity has added significantly to the health and well-being of Ashland,” offered Spilka.

Steve was one of the founders of the very successful Ashland Farmers Market. He has coached youth soccer. He has been a member of many committees, including the Finance Committee and Select Board for 12 years and was Vice-Chair of the Public Safety Building committee. He currently serves as a member of the Council on Age and Comprehensive Plan Committee and is a member of the Lion’s Club.

Bonnie, who was Dean of the Framingham State University library before retiring, was appointed by Governor Healy to the FSU Board of Trustees. She serves on the advisory board of the FSU University Club, located at the Warren Conference Center. She also helps train tutors as part of Literacy Unlimited in Framingham and is a member of the Literacy Unlimited Advisory Board and clerk of the Foundation Board.  

Both Bonnie and Steve have been riders for the Pan Mass Challenge, an annual fund-raising event of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute that raises money for cancer research and treatment. They were also part of the leadership team that sponsored the Remote Area Medical Clinic, which provides free health services to underserved and uninsured people in metro-west communities.

After receiving the award, the Mitchells visited their many friends exhibiting at Ashland Day.