HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 Minuteman Cane Award - Ashley Rooney, I 'a 0 - WON I
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The Select Board of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts, hereby recognizes and presents the
202,4 MINUTEMAN CANE AWARD to-,
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The Minuteman Cane Award Selection Committee is pleased to announce Ashley Rooney is the
recipient of the 2024 award. A 52 -year Lexington resident, Ashleydevoted her seemingly
boundless energy and creativity to many organizations in town, Alnd she didn't slow down as she moved into her 8
Both the quantity and the quality of her contributions to our community inspire everyone.
Many Lexington organizations have relied upon Ashley's wisdom and volunteerism. Today much of Ashley's work is
focused on. marketing and publicity for the Lexington Council for the Arts, the Town Celebrations Committee, and the
Serniquincentennial Commission (Lex250). But it was not long ago that she was, spending similar energy working on the
Cary Library Foundation Board, serving as Co-Pres,ident of the Lexington Field and Garden Club, and researching and
interviewing WWI and WWII veterans as part of Lexington Remembers. All of these organizations and more, such as the
Church of Our Redeemer and the Lexington Historical Society, remain on her dance card and continue to receive her he,]
In all her community service, Ashley routinely makes us smarter and brings people together to make good things happen.
Makes, Us Smarter... While many may not know that she is the author of 72 (and counting!) books on art, history, gardens
and architecture, it's hard to miss the products of her publicity work for multiple groups around town. Simultaneously/
her frequent articles for the Lexington Times enrich our knowledge of the town through. an engaging mix of current news,
interesting history, and spotlights on individuals and organizations, old and new. Ashley educates and entertains us in
other ways too. For example, during the pandernic, she arranged a long series of virtual gardening programs, pairing
garden club experts with the library's technical capabilities and often facilitating the discussions. She also is uniformly
generous with advice and encouragement.
Brings People Together... Ashley skillfully leverages her broad community knowledge to create new unions and
understanding. The words of some of' her many admirers say this, best:
"'Over the years, Vve watched as shes helped so many organizations in town, bringing people together for
projects .... I know that when Ashley calls, it"s always for something interesting!"
"'Ashley has always recognized the importance of engaging with diverse cultures and promoting mutual
understanding."
""She has a deep err and passion for enriching the cultural community of Lexington.
"'In addition to being focused on the task, she takesi care of people, making sure that members feel included anj
offers opportunities,... to build stronger interpersonal connections."
Ashley is the epitome of what it means to be a creative and inspirational community volunteer. It is therefore with great
pleasure that we proclaim Ashley Rooney to, be the 2024 recipient of the Minuteman, Cane Award. Congratulations!
Issuedin natefu appre7, -n this lothday of April 2024,
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Chair, Minuteman Cane Award Selection Committee