2022 – Bill and Maureen Elliott

Throughout its 100-plus year history, the Freedom Old Home Week (FOHW) Association has named annual Grand Marshals as part of its Old Home Week celebrations. Grand Marshals are recognized for their outstanding contributions to our community, including volunteerism and dedication to making Freedom a special place in which to live.

We are delighted to honor Bill and Maureen Elliott as the FOHW 2022 Grand Marshals. Both individually and collectively, their civic leadership has been inspirational and has touched the lives of many in our community. Bill and Maureen personify all that this honorific stands for, and they have truly been “ambassadors” of our town for more than three decades since purchasing their first home here in 1989—and even more so since moving here permanently from South Weymouth, MA in 2009. Bill and Maureen are the proud parents of four children, and doting grandparents to their five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Recognizing the many contributions Bill and Maureen have made to Freedom is no easy task because of the breadth and depth of their involvement in our community. Their work has extended across many organizations and initiatives, from environmental sustainability and town planning to strengthening food security among friends and neighbors experiencing hardship.

Bill has served as a member of the Conservation Commission, the Aquatic Invasive Species Committee, the Freedom Planning Board, Freedom Community Club, and as a member of the FOHW Association. His volunteerism has also included less known but highly impactful service to organizations that also help our town to thrive, including the Freedom Public Library, Freedom Food Pantry, and Freedom Village Store.

Maureen’s contributions to Freedom are equally numerous and impressive. She has served as a member of the Freedom Heritage Commission, Trustee of the Freedom Public Library, and member of the Friends of Freedom Public Library. She has devoted time and talent to the Freedom Food Pantry and the Freedom Village Store as a Board member and volunteer.

Our town is fortunate indeed that Bill and Maureen chose Freedom as their home. They love children and are supporters of the Freedom Elementary School, attending events such as the Veteran’s Day celebration and most recently, the Community Luncheon. Bill and Maureen always have the time to greet friends and neighbors, and embrace new community members with warmth. The Elliotts live and breathe the saying, “there are no strangers here, just friends we haven’t met.”

Our entire community has benefited enormously from Bill and Maureen’s compassion and commitment to the betterment of Freedom, and it is an honor to recognize them as the 2022 FOHW Grand Marshals.

2019 – Scott and Anne Cunningham

The 2019 Freedom Old Home Week theme is “Freedom Lights the Way”. Back in 1919, one hundred years ago, electricity replaced gaslight in the village.

The Grand Marshalls for the Freedom Old Home Week Parade are Scott and Anne Cunningham. The criteria for being a Grand Marshall is to work hard to help make Freedom a wonderful place to live. Scott and Anne have done just that!

Some of Scott’s contributions include:

• Freedom Historical Society Vice President
• Selectman for one term
• 6 years on the Heritage Commission
• Led effort to obtain a snow roller for the roller shed
• Freedom town representative and board member of the Mt. Washington Economic Council for 4 years

Some of Anne’s contributions include:

• Planning board chair for 12 years
• Friends of the library for 18 years- Vice President and Treasurer
• Trustee of the Freedom Library
• Trustee of the Trust Funds
• OHW Committee for 4 years
• Freedom Village Store founding board member and treasurer
• Representative to Lakes Region Planning Commission for 3 years

Although Scott and Anne will be riding in their convertible, the old family Woody will once again be in the parade. The Woody has been in the parade for over 60 years!

2018 – Lee Fritz

The 2018 theme was “Preserving Freedom’s Legacy – Historical Society’s 50th Year”.  A legacy is a situation that exists as a result of things that happened at an earlier time.  Our Grand Marshall, Ms. Lee Fritz, has many legacies from having been a consistent volunteer in many capacities in Freedom for over 40 years.

• • • Freedom Public Library – Treasurer of the Board of Trustees.  Lee did fundraising for the library’s addition, worked to add air conditioning, and started the Book Club in 1990 (which still meets monthly).  Lee continues as a weekly volunteer and member of the Friends of the Library.
    • Preservation of Freedom Town Hall.  Lee did much research with the NH Division of Historical Resources, studying NH towns of a similar size as Freedom.  The Town Hall building may have been destined for demolition, but instead it was rehabilitated because of the information she gathered.
    • Freedom Heritage Commission
    • Freedom Old School Future Use Committee
    • Freedom Historical Society
    • South Eaton Meeting House
    • Freedom Village Store
    • New England Center at the University of New Hampshire

When Lee was asked if she would consider being the 2018 Grand Marshall, her response, in her sweet southern North Carolina accent was, “Well, I think I can do that….If I can remember, then I want to share. That will be my legacy.”

2017 – Peg Scully 

The prime criteria for the Freedom Old Home Week Grand Marshall is overall volunteerism throughout Freedom. Peg has been a consistent volunteer in many capacities for over 30 years. Her participation includes but is not limited to the Freedom Club of NH, Freedom Village Store, Freedom Town Forest, Freedom Public Library, Freedom Historical Society, Heritage Commission, Freedom Elementary School, First Christian Church and our Old Home Week Committee. Most of all, images of Freedom will be available for all to cherish for many years because of Peg’s art work. Eighteen of these images have been on Freedom Old Home Week shirts and tiles. As people enter Freedom, a Freedom Village image painted by Peg welcomes them to our town. We thank Peg for being part of Freedom, for all she has done and for contributing to its everlasting memories through her artistic visions.

Click here for a gallery of Peg’s Old Home Week t-shirt designs.

2016 – Bill and Sally Stoops

2015 – Mary Hockmeyer

2014 – Daniel (Bud) Brooks

2013 – Robin Sargent

2012 – Dotty Brooks
2011 – Albert Godfrey
2010 – Ellie and Emory Stokes
2009 – Ted Acton
2008 – Elizabeth Acton
2006 – Phyllis and Lyman Kennison
2005 – Linnie Giles and Velma Hormell

Last updated 7/11/2022