Linda Goss Honored as Community Citizen

Back Row: Anthony Thayer, Doris Thayer, Dave Ogborn, Bob Orcutt, Tom Hornbeck, Middle Row :Frank Cuilla, Laurie Bedford, Pat Hornbeck, Dorota Paczawski, Ken Smith, Elaine Smith, Michael Smith, Lloyd Tompkins, Front Row: Betty Ogborn, AJ Jackson, Dale Orcutt, Len Marigliano, Russ Bedford

Colonel Harper Grange member Laurie Bedford (left) presents the Community Citizen of the Year Award to Linda Goss for her many years of service to the residents of the town of Harpersfield. Goss retired as town clerk last December after 29 years of service.

HARPERSFIELD  – Each year members of the Colonel Harper Grange select a member of the greater community who has made it a better place.. The words “above and beyond” are often used in the description of the recipient and this year is no exception. Linda Goss, who retired as Harpersfield Town Clerk last December, is the 2025 recipient of the Community Citizen of the Year award, presented by the Grange.

Goss served as town clerk  for 29 years, beginning her tenure on Jan. 1, 1996. Laurie Bedford, who made the presentation, said she has served as an election inspector for those 29 years and said Goss was always there for everyone. "She would run home at lunch time to let the dog out, but otherwise, she manned the town hall. She was also the registrar of vital statistics, keeping track of births and deaths.

"She always tried to keep house plants alive in the dark tunnel of a town office," said Bedford, who presented her with a potted plant.

Jim Eisel, former supervisor, was unable to attend the event, but noted that Linda was a "wonderful town clerk", working with her for many of those years. 

Grange member A. J. Jackson  said she would go into the clerk's office and ask Linda the "darnedest questions" and “she always  answered them.”

Dean Darling, longtime planning board chairman, also sang her praises for handling all of the legal notices and paperwork for the planning board, which meant keeping track of his totes full of applications, drawings and plans. He said she was always very polite about his late submissions. When my wife ran for town clerk the year that Linda was first elected, I might have had to resign from the planning board. Fortunately for our marriage, my wife was not elected, “ he said. “Linda was just always pleasant and always helping somebody else. She took a lot of care of everything for us and others."

Chris Bellinger, who served as Goss's deputy clerk, said that Linda always went above and beyond. "I am very glad to see her recognized for all she did do."

Liz Page, who has served as secretary to the planning board for a number of years, said Linda Goss was always very willing to help her and did it with a smile. She was always encouraging and was the perfect person to deal with the public. It is very rare to find someone who is able to keep smiling and stay accommodating to others day in and day out, “ said Page.

 Goss thanked everyone and said she was very grateful for the plant which she will nurture.

The evening opened with a pot luck dinner and ended with a lesson on flag etiquette. 

Grange Master Ken Smith said Colonel Harper Grange has been in existence for 150 years. It s members participate in fundraising, such as renting out their facilities at a reasonable rate and are here to serve the community. They are always seeking new members and meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month, with dinner at 6, followed by the meeting. Dues are $30 per year. Application for membership is available by talking to any member.

They also participate in the annual Stamford Garage Sale Day and are gearing up for their major fundraiser, the annual beef barbecue which is now more than 75 years old. It is set for August 28 and will again be a drive through affair, although the traffic pattern will change this year.

The evening ended with an educational piece on American flag etiquette, given by Lecturer Patricia Hornbeck and helped by local Girl Scout Aubrey Mason. They covered everything from the proper care and display of the flag to its proper retirement.