Barry Webber & Doreen Kelly

Barry Webber

Giving back and supporting one’s community has always been a strong calling for me. I’d lived in Norfolk for only two weeks when Sue Dooley hooked me in to help with the Mandy Patinkin concert to benefit Prime Time House—an organization I spent more than 10 years working with and sat on their board.

For 24 years, the Norfolk Historical Society has been like a second home. After decades of volunteering, I am now running the museum and working with its volunteers.

I worked as a consultant on many NCA projects over the years, so when Joel Howard, who needed help in revitalizing the group, whose history dates back to the 1890s, asked, I didn’t hesitate. The added benefit of working with good friends and helping to improve the town has been most rewarding. I was particularly pleased when the group jumped on board to restore the wonderful and historic monuments we are blessed with in Norfolk.

The generosity of the people of Norfolk also makes getting these projects accomplished a joy! Thank you to all the volunteers and supporters who make this town such a special place.

Doreen Kelly

When I retired from being a marketing executive, I began to consider what would be next. My love of Norfolk had only grown over the years, so I thought perhaps I could be of service. I worked with Barry Webber on the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival Gala and the social support organization Norfolk NET. But it was living close to the village green that introduced me to the Norfolk Community Association 15 years ago. I expressed an interest in improving the look of Norfolk’s annual holiday tree by adding more lights and sparkle. That was my first step towards helping with village improvement.

Four years ago, Barry and I decided to take on the co-presidency of the NCA. Under Joel Howard’s leadership, the organization already contributed major enhancements to the town. One of our major objectives was to increase public awareness of NCA. We created a new logo, became active on Instagram and created an interactive website. We targeted a few goals: to restore historic monuments, expand holiday displays, create a Memorial Day Flag display and develop a new focus on public artworks.

We have an amazing team and working together has been a joy. We have met all our goals in the past four years and are looking forward to continuing this journey with the idea of “Village Improvement Together” as the essence of who we are and what we do.

Walter Godlewski

To say that Norfolk is a special place may be a cliché, but it’s true. Why is that? I keep coming back to the same answer—our town is imbued with a deeply rooted sense of community and volunteerism that is rare in the modern world. No organization exemplifies this better than the Norfolk Community Association.

The NCA has always been a quiet, behind-the-scenes organization. Unlike groups that are associated with an asset such as a forest or library, the NCA preserves and beautifies a variety of public spaces ranging from the village green to the entrances to town. Our latest project is the creation of a sculpture trail. Through the acquisition and installation of sculptural works, we intend to create a link between separate public areas around town. Not only will this project contribute something new and exciting to our community but it will also provide the NCA with a lasting presence in Norfolk. As a lover of art, this is a dream project for me.

Marie Lowe

Volunteering is a family affair for me, starting before my first daughter was at Botelle School when a group of us formed a day care. I continued my involvement with the school and headed the Recreation Committee. Later, my focus shifted to my career. I began working remotely with the company Media People. I had a knack for sales and started MI Media Services. I soon realized I had time for more volunteer work.

My husband, West, was a source of encouragement for me. We organized the Norfolk Car Show, a fundraiser for the Lions Club Ambulance and the Fire Department. We worked on the Norfolk Rails to Trails effort and will volunteer at the annual Tour de Forest again this year. I sat on the Economic Development Commission, which promotes economic development.

I became interested in the NCA’s work and joined. My first interest was in enhancing our welcome signs. NCA members created gardens and floral displays in the warmer months and festive decor in the winter. The heart of any volunteer organization is the people. Working with talented friends and family. There’s nothing better than that!