Sawyer and Martin are Clearwater County’s Outstanding Senior Citizens

By Bonnie Kirchman

“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.” This quote was included in a letter recommending Darlene Sawyer as an outstanding senior citizen. This same quote can be applied to Jim Martin, who was also recommended for the honor. Both Darlene and Jim were selected as 2019 Outstanding Senior Citizens of Clearwater County. Each have contributed to their communities, giving their time and sharing their unique gifts in ways that have made Clearwater County a better place.

In a program held at the fair on Saturday, August 3rd, Marilyn Melby introduced Darlene Sawyer. As a retired English teacher, Darlene has taken her love of reading, writing, and education in many directions. By volunteering as an Evergreen Reader, she shared stories as well as current events with nursing home residents. She is a charter member of the NELL program, serving as secretary for 12 years. NELL, Northern Exposure to Lifelong Learning, provides opportunities for seniors and others to continue learning about a wide variety of topics. Besides serving on the board, Darlene also helps with the ice cream socials at the Long Lake Campground that help raise funds for NELL.

 Darlene shares her talents as a writer by interviewing seniors and writing their “Life Stories” for the Clearwater County History Center. She has especially focused on area residents who are close to 100 years old, documenting their stories and experiences so they can be shared with future generations. Darlene is perhaps most widely known for the articles she writes for the local newspapers. She attends many community events, taking notes and photographs that will be included in her stories.

Darlene is a life-long member of Samhold Lutheran Church in Gonvick and has served in many leadership roles for the women’s group and the church board. Serving at funerals and fundraisers are other ways Darlene has participated in her church community.

Through her membership in the Gonvick American Legion Auxiliary, Darlene works to keep people of all ages involved in their community. Monthly fish fries, school reunions, Pumpkin Days and Rodeo Days are events the Legion group sponsors, and their support of these activities benefit not only Gonvick residents, but many others who come to share in the fun.

Darlene’s letter of nomination includes the following: “Darlene Sawyer is an outstanding senior volunteer with a generous nature who is always putting others before herself. Her energy and enthusiasm radiate and are contagious. Many acts of volunteer kindness are completed that only the recipients are aware of from their ‘Silent Servant, Darlene’. For her, retirement means “HELPING OTHERS.”

The letter of nomination for Darlene goes on to say that “she is the ‘living’ example of the ‘Ever Ready Bunny’ who just goes and goes and goes. She is most deserving of the honor of the Outstanding Senior Citizen Volunteer for 2019.”

Jim Martin was introduced as the other Outstanding Senior Citizen by Bob Agnew. The letter nominating Jim stated that “our outstanding senior male volunteer is a gentleman of many talents ranging from a musician, gardener, farmer, conservationist, cook, and he is a man of deep commitment. This gentle man has been a volunteer since his teens growing up in rural Minnesota helping family and his neighbors with his work ethic. If there is a project that needs assistance, he is sure to be a participant.”

Jim’s commitment to volunteering is evidenced by the array of community activities he participates in and the many hours he devotes to serving throughout the community. He is a member of the Bagley Lions Club, serving as secretary and helping out with many special projects. The events the Lions participate in each year include the Breakfast on the Farm, Fishing Derby on Lake Lomond, and the Fry Bread Wagon at the Clearwater County Fair.

At St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Jim has served as lector and greeter monthly since 1976. He also has served on the parish council, the church cemetery board, and has been the food shelf representative for 12 years. He brings communion to shut-ins. As a volunteer at the Bagley Senior Center, Jim shares time in a variety of ways including driving for Meals-on-Wheels, helping with repairs, and even serving as a waiter at the Valentine dinner.

Jim shares his talent as a musician at his church and the Bagley Senior Center, serving as a song leader at church and providing music for special events at the Senior Center. He is in demand as an entertainer throughout the community and can be found with his guitar at many locations. He entertains at nursing homes, teacher retirement parties, and fundraisers.

Bob Agnew described Jim Martin as “the proud grandfather” of many purple martins born by Lake Lomond. A member of the Purple Martin Conservation Association since 2011, Jim has worked to restore and maintain 18 purple martin houses located by the lake in Bagley. Jim follows the life cycle of these birds, counting the eggs and recording hatching and fledgling dates. Many campers and visitors to Lake Lomond enjoy watching the purple martins.

The letter nominating Jim for Outstanding Senior included this: “He has a devout faith that serves across denominational lines. He has been a ‘Humble Servant’ without any recognition to himself.” A letter recommending Jim for the honor stated that “Jim Martin is the kind of man who makes small town living so enriched by his presence.”

The Clearwater County Outstanding Senior Citizen program began in 1976. This year’s event, held at the Stage in the Pines, was planned by Dee Strandlien and Al Paulson, who serve as Clearwater County Outstanding Senior Citizen Committee Co-Chairpersons. In addition to the recognition of Darlene Sawyer and Jim Martin, the program also included musical selections by Butch Boe and Nathan Engebretson, who was joined by his mother Roxanne Engebretson. Hanson’s Floral Shop of Shevlin provided the boutonniere and corsage for the 2019 Outstanding Lady and Man. A lunch was provided and served by the Gonvick Legion Auxiliary.