GREENFIELD , NH —In recognition for seven decades of service to people with disabilities and their families, Crotched Mountain Foundation was recently honored by The Newcomen Society of the United States , a non-profit business educational foundation that studies and supports outstanding achievement in American business. The award presentation took place during a luncheon meeting held at the rehabilitation center on October 2^nd. "We are pleased to receive this prestigious honor," remarked Crotched Mountain president Donald L. Shumway. "It's a wonderful opportunity to look back at our past achievements and look ahead to our future goals."

Philip B. Ryan, CEO of Merchant's Automotive Group, presided over the meeting in his role as a Newcomen Society national trustee and chairman of the New Hampshire Committee. "The organization we honor today combines compassion and empowerment; helping to instill a precious kind of freedom to special men and women – the freedom to be 'All-Americans'." He noted that Crotched Mountain is one of the few organizations in the country to have been recognized by the Newcomen Society more than once. It first received the honor in 1972, shortly after the death of Crotched Mountain founder, Harry A. Gregg.

After an invocation from the Rev. Daniel Osgood, chaplain, a color guard from Crotched Mountain 's Boy Scout Troop, #349, led the group in the pledge of allegiance. As Crotched Mountain 's chairman of the board of directors, Roger C. Ball welcomed special guests including: Governor Walter Peterson, Executive Councilor Peter Spaulding, Senator Robert Flanders, and Senator Sheila Roberge. Representing other New Hampshire businesses previously honored by the Newcomen Society were: Ellie Cochran , New Hampshire Charitable Foundation; Celina Hurley , New Hampshire Political Library; and Debbye Tardiff, Northeast Delta Dental.

The heart of the program was a three-part tribute to Crotched Mountain by its students, staff, and trustees. Chelsea Fernandes of Southbridge , MA and Jenny Ventre of Fairfield , CT performed a wheelchair dance choreographed to an original musical work composed by their fellow Crotched Mountain student, Joseph Beauregard of Oakham , MA . Next came a song entitled The Mountain that was written especially for the occasion by composer Larry Siegel of Westmoreland , NH to lyrics by a team of Crotched Mountain employees: Robin Boyd, Tracy Messer, Diane Sampson, Pam Shea, and Barbara Summers. It was performed by a chorus of staff: John Anders, Bonnie Arpin, Linette Chandler, Jeannette Goulding, Jerry Hunter, Peg Lewis, Tracy Messer, Laura Ochoa, Michael Redmond, Diane Sampson, Carol Seager, and Barbara Summers, pianist. The program continued with reflections by three Crotched Mountain trustees: James C. Piet, a public relations officer with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation for the State of New Hampshire who spoke about his experience as a Crotched Mountain student during the 1970s; Cynthia Yuknewicz, whose son Stephen attended Crotched Mountain School and now lives in a home managed by Crotched Mountain Residential Services; and Benjamin F. Gayman, Esq., a past board chairman who spoke about the Crotched Mountain's plans to build a network of wheelchair accessible hiking trails throughout its 1,400 acre campus. Mr. Shumway expanded upon the organization's commitment to the environment and sustainability, citing its newly completed prototype home and an innovative wood chip plant which is now under construction.

The meeting concluded as Newcomen Society president and CEO Leighton A. Wildrick presented Mr. Shumway with the Newcomen Award – a granite obelisk with the Newcomen logo in 24K gold-plated pewter and an engraved plaque. Upon adjournment, the Rev. Alice Roberts, priest associate at St. Andrew's Church in Hopkinton , NH , offered grace before the buffet luncheon that followed.

Founded in 1923, The Newcomen Society of the United States (http://www.newcomen.org/) is named for inventor Thomas Newcomen, "the father of the industrial revolution." The Society has honored more than 2,500 organizations and institutions through its presentation of the Newcomen Award. The award program includes the documentation of a corporate history which is distributed to society members, 3,300 public and private libraries; including the Library of Congress, for permanent record.

Crotched Mountain is a charitable organization employing more than 900 people. Its mission is to serve individuals with disabilities and their families, embracing personal choice and development, and building communities of mutual support. Crotched Mountain provides specialized education, rehabilitation, community, and residential support services for more than 2,000 consumers, including individuals with disabilities and the elderly, living in New England and New York . For direction and further information about Crotched Mountain , please visit their web site: www.crotchedmountain.org.

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