Perry Lilley honored for service

By Angie Wotton
SASWCD District Manager
    The Place: A hilltop on a hayfield in Smyrna with views of Mt. Katahdin and a mountain range fanning out on either side of it. The Time: Early evening on a warm summer’s night. The Reason: A celebration with family, friends and colleagues to honor the many years of service that Perry Lilley has given to the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District as board member and chair.
    Lilley first came onto the board of supervisors in the mid-1980s, following his father, Burns Lilley, who had also served as supervisor and chair for many years. Since then Lilley has served as chairman of the board for most of the past 20-plus years, only recently passing the board chair title on to current chairman, Gene Lawlor of Merrill.
    With a few curious Holsteins looking on from the adjoining pasture at the Lilley’s dairy farm, approximately 40 people gathered on the hill to enjoy the views, summer weather, conversation and a dinner made up of a pig roast and locally produced food. After dinner, dessert of homemade fruit pies and some friendly “roasting” of Lilley by a few people, Lawlor presented Lilley with a sign commemorating his dedication and service to the District.
    On a serious note, Lawlor emphasized that Lilley has lived his life by being dedicated to so many things: his church, his family, the farm, and conservation issues. He finished by speaking of Lilley’s dedication to the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District. Lawlor noted that Lilley has served these many years on the board, even though there was no direct benefit to himself. The benefit, however, is to the community at large.
    Under Lilley’s chairmanship, the District has strengthened its conservation work by working with other area partners and participating in many conservation grant awards, most recently the five-year Winter Cover Project that involved application of winter cover practices by more than 30 area farmers.
    It is this sense of community that made the evening so special. As Lilley asked in his speech to those gathered at the table, “How do you put a price on this?” It was clear that there was no price to be placed on the expansive view highlighted by the setting sun, the friends, family and colleagues sharing a meal, the food grown and prepared by those farmers that make up our community and a public appreciation for all that Lilley has done for the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District.
Contributed Photo
IN APPRECIATION — Officials at Katahdin Trust Company in Patten received a plaque from the Vicky E. Morgan Foundation in appreciation for their continued support of the annual benefit auction held every October. Accepting the plaque were from left, Robin Drew, president, Emily J. Hosford, branch manager and Stella Lane, vice-president.