AMENIA — Charles and Charlene Mayville were recognized as Amenia’s Citizens of the Year at a brief ceremony in front of the town’s Christmas Tree at the annual Celebration of Lights on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, joined by Town Board members Rosanna Hamm and Nicole Ahearn and Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner, presented a certificate to the Mayvilles just after 4 p.m.
Blackman praised the couple for their dedication to community service and their volunteering spirit.
“They’re actually on their way to help another community right now,” Blackman said, explaining that the ceremony had to be moved up a half hour earlier to accommodate the recipients’ schedule.
Amenia residents Olivier and Augustine Agnez posing for a picture with Santa Claus at the Silo Bakery on Main Street in Amenia on Sunday, Dec. 7.Photo by Nathan Miller
“This is obviously a total surprise, and we’re really grateful that you’re thinking of us and what we do,” Charlene Mayville said. “I know there’s a lot of volunteers out there, and it’s just such a rewarding and fulfilling experience to do for others and to see happiness on their face when we’re done.”
The Citizen of the Year ceremony was part of Amenia’s annual holiday celebration. Downtown this year was free hot chocolate and cookies in front of the basketball court — where a fire pit warmed frigid hands and the Webutuck High School band played a collection of holiday tunes — Santa Claus sitting for pictures in the Silo Bakery on Main Street and arts and crafts at the Amenia Free Library.
Photo by Nathan Miller
Piper Sniffen, left, and her brother Xander color in an illustration of cats decorating a Christmas Tree at the Amenia Free Library's arts and crafts day during Amenia's holiday celebration on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Models walk the organic runway at HVSFW. Ilan Harel 
Susan Schneider, owner of Shandell’s, creates a variety of products with marbleized surfaces in her Ashley Falls studio.L. Tomaino
