Heritage Commission announces its annual Community Heritage Awards

BELMONT — The Heritage Commission overwhelmingly chose and honored Gretta Olson-Wilder who received the Community Partners and Special Events Award. She worked diligently and tirelessly as Belmont’s Events Coordinator to organize numerous events celebrating the town’s 150th Anniversary last year. Olson-Wilder went above and beyond to bring many activities, concerts, and special events to the community. She was determined to acknowledge people, groups and moments that had helped form, inspire and enrich the town’s history and community past, present and future.

Some examples of her energy and effort showed through with programs and activities she arranged and promoted throughout the year. Olson-Wilder had four different band concerts, two held indoors and two outdoor concerts at the Historic Bandstand. Gretta organized a scavenger hunt, created a time capsule, and held a birthday celebration at the center of town with a huge Belmont birthday cake created in likeness of town buildings.

One of her activities involved contacting the art teachers at Belmont Elementary and Middle School to have students create large murals that depicted Belmont town scenes. The murals were later displayed along the outside of the Bandstand. Recognizing Greta for her services to the town is long overdue. Although this award is based on her relentless work during the town’s 150th her volunteer work far precedes her as she was once a member of the Belmont Parks and Recreation Committee and Gretta helped to organize the Old Home Day parade and the Belmont Road Race for over 20 years.

Pauline Murphy who recently celebrated her 92nd birthday received the Community Traditions and Crafts award. The commission chose Pauline (also known as Polly to many) for the contributions she has made to the town over many years. At the Belmont Public Library her expertise and art handiwork is in the library’s antique Grandfather Clock. Polly restored the clock by painting a new face. Another painting done by Pauline of the Bandstand was given as a gift to former Heritage Chair Linda Frawley. Pauline has enjoyed many years drawing pictures of Belmont and historical buildings scenes such as the Bandstand, and the Mill. Presently she continues to draw, but mainly for her family. The commission was delighted to acknowledge her contributions to the town and thank her for using her talents to highlight Belmont’s Historical sites.

Raine Wilkins’ work as a student representative earned her the Young Leadership award. Raine became the first Student Representative for the Belmont Heritage Commission. Although Raine was not a voting member she gave two years of her time and provided valuable input to the commission. The Heritage Commission’s goal was to have a Student Representative help to connect students of all ages to learn more about the history and heritage of their town. Although Covid-19 played havoc during her last year on the commission Raine accomplished many things such as volunteering at Old Home Day(2019) and helping brainstorm ideas for the 150th Anniversary. She also became a valuable connection between the high school and the commission. Raine’s efforts set the stage for future student representatives into the Heritage Commission.