Laconia sends off its icon, Warren Clement

With 37 years of extraordinary contributions to his community behind him, it's no wonder people wanted to throw Warren Clement a retirement party. His well-wishers filled Rotary Riverside Park — a city amenity he was central in creating — last evening and described him as a man of many virtues — an accomplished businessman, a dedicated civil servant, a man who was quick with a joke, tireless in his volunteerism to the city and Congregational Church, happy to be a mentor to his neighboring downtown merchants and a tour guide to visitors and, perhaps most importantly, generous with his creativity and his knack for getting things done.

Clement is closing The Sundial Shop he founded in 1973. Few businesses in the city's history have reached its iconic status.

In addition to his contributions to the city as an entrepreneurial businessman, Clement has served several terms on the Police Commission, has long been active in the Laconia Rotary Club, helped found the Laconia Main Street organization and has volunteered his services to countless other city projects and initiatives, many of which he helped conceive. If that weren't enough, he has been described by many other downtown merchants as a mentor and teacher.

The compliments started from the Statehouse, with state representative Jane Wood reading a proclamation from Governor John Lynch, who wrote how Clement is "endlessly involved in his community" and recounted Clement's business story, including how he and his wife Martha moved to Laconia from Woburn, Mass. and started The Sundial Shop on Main Street. The business, at its height, offered everything from macaroons to VCRs and had additional locations in Meredith and Gilford.

Lynch commended Clement for his "dedication and commitment to the Lakes Region and the state of New Hampshire."

"I can't believe it, Warren has got the governor to do a commercial for him," joked Rick Dadian, who listed several humorous plusses and minuses to Clement's retirement. Joking aside, though, he turned to the man of the hour and said, "You're the guy who had his finger on the pulse of Laconia and got involved... you succeeded, thank you."

Reverend Warren Bouton of the Laconia Congregational Church said of Clement, "When he appears in your office with coffee for your entire staff, you know he's up to something," which he said was usually a good thing. "Warren always comes with a dream and a vision and a way to get things done."

Mayor Michael Seymour proclaimed June 23, 2010 as Warren Clement Day in Laconia. Describing him as an "advocate and strong supporter to make downtown Laconia the best it can be," he said "Warren has almost become a symbol of the downtown area and of commitment to this community." Lest the crowd fear Clement would retire to a hammock or some far-off locale, Seymour said Clement's civic duties are not yet through. "He has promised me he's committed to working on a couple of initiatives."

Bob Sawyer, owner of Sawyers Jewelry, is one of the merchants who can recall what life was like pre-Clement. Referring to the verdant Riverside Park the gathering was held within, he said "I remember this as an old parking lot— look at what we have now." Turning to Clement, he said. "Thank you, don't stray too far."

Debbie Frawley Drake of the Laconia Historical and Museum Society presented Clement with a gift, saying he had made a "significant impact on the recent history of the city," and calling him an "official downtown antique."

Ann Saltmarsh also presented Clement with a gift, honoring his efforts to help various projects of the city's Public Works Department. Many others bestowed him with tokens of gratitude, highlighted by a brass sundial on a granite column that will a permanent fixture in Rotary Park.

Also announced was the creation of the Warren Clement Colonial Theater Restoration Fund with the Laconia Main Street organization.

One of the gifts was a song, written by Sue Bullerwell of All My Life Jewelers, sung to the tune of "Thanks for the Memories." One of the verses goes, "Thanks for the stories told, and jokes you like to tell, most really were quite swell. But did you have to blame the bad ones on LaBelle? What fun we had."

"We're the newcomers," said Drew Seneca, owner of The Downtown Deli. "But Warren took us under his wing." He announced that his company would be selling muffins made with Clement's recipes. "Warren has enriched all by just being here — we're losing an icon.

"I am very pleased and very flattered, I thought I could just sneak out in the middle of the night," said Clement, who recalled being welcomed to his new home town nearly four decades ago. Many years of his business were very good he recalled, though he noted that past few were "very challenging."

"I want to say thank you very much, it's been a great run, we enjoyed it."

Before and after the speakers, attendants were urged to write their sentiments on cards, which would be used to create a book for Clement. Jo Connelly, of Laconia, who knows Clement through the Congregational Church, said she wrote, "He can do more gardening, but he'll be missed."

"He's a very special guy," added her husband, Skip Connelly.