Crowd Honors Charlie Brown
As Strafford’s Citizen of the Year
By John Freitag

There were 110 people at Barrett Hall last Wednesday for a dinner to honor Charlie Brown, the Strafford Lions Club "Citizen of the Year."

A lifelong resident of South Strafford, he still lives in the farmhouse in which he was born, and his family roots go back all the way to the early days of the town in the late 1700s. His cousin, David Brown, provided a glimpse into the early days of growing up in the community, when before World War II, farm work was done with horses, not tractors, and the Browns of South Strafford enjoyed both working and riding.

While his heritage is important, it was the man and what he has made of his life that was the center of attention as speaker after speaker talked about his generosity, love of sports, sugaring, family, and friends. Son in-law Bobby Gray was especially appreciative, not only for the lessons of hard work and in how to have fun, but of Charlie’s daughter, who is Gray’s wife, and of becoming part of the family.

Son Frank Brown talked about how his dad was willing to let a person learn rather than telling them what to do, and Frank’s wife, Jessica, read a tribute to her father-in-law from their longtime "down country" neighbor, Dawson Shoemaker.

Jim Condict highlighted Charlie’s love of skiing and the many years he taught young people the sport.

Soupi Brown (from the other Brown family in Strafford), talked about Charlie’ involvement in the Strafford Athletic Association and his love of baseball. Charlie made the Sunday games a top priority and would, given the choice, play ball instead of making hay. Calling Charlie "Lord of the Good Times" and "King of the Mountain," Soupi said that, after the games, cook-outs that eventually became huge town parties, showed people how to have great get-togethers.

Michael Curtis, a doctor whose family moved into the farm at the end of Charlie’s road, and who is learning to be a farmer, cited Charlie as a mentor and friend who has helped him in many ways. Charlie also introduced him to "maple thunder," a specialty sap brew he makes each year.

Curtis observed that most people start out with a wide circle of friends, that, over the years, becomes narrower. Everyone present agreed when he added that Charlie, on the other hand, seems to go the other way, broadening the circle of friends as the years go on.

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