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NEWS

The Norwich Guidon
Feb. 12, 2004

Roxbury Pavilion construction hampered by funding shortfall

By Danielle Meunier
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Money and fame are catalysts to recognition, but the true testament of a person's merit is the fondness and respect with which they are remembered by others. Such tributes take many forms. They can be written words, paintings, or even structures constructed to honor the memory or works of a person.

After Olin Maxham passed away on Sept. 8, 2003, a void was left in the Roxbury, Vt., community that is soon going to be filled with thanks to the Roxbury Fire Department and some volunteers.

"He put in a huge garden and sold vegetables," Audrey Burnell, Olin's daughter from Northfield, Vt., and a worker in Norwich University's Mill, said of her father's role in the community. "And he had advice, if anyone wanted advice."

His son and grandson are a part of the fire department, and "if he had been well, he would have been on the fire department," Phyllis Maxham, Olin's wife from Roxbury, Vt., said. "He would definitely do anything for anyone he could to help out any way he could."

In an attempt to keep his spirit alive in the community, a memorial is being built, mainly by the fire department in the heart of Roxbury, Vt.

"It's a pavilion which is just a pole barn, almost," Tim Martin, chief of the Roxbury Fire Department, said. "It could be called a recreation shelter, so people know what it is."

The structure is basically an open building with four pillars, roof and floor that would be the site of future town get-togethers and picnics.

"We always talked about building one of these so when we do our Forth of July barbecues, we could have shelter, because we normally set up tents to stay out of the sun," Martin said. "I think it was a collective decision, something that's been mulled around at the fire department for a while," Don Randall, Roxbury Fire Fighter, said.

"Olin passed away last summer and a number of people made donations to the fire department," Randall said. "In addition to that, the fire department has put on a number of fundraisers to supplement the budget, so we've given small amounts."

"People asked what [we] are ... doing with the money, so we're trying to figure out something that would be good for the family, something that would be good for the fire department, something that would be good for all," Martin said.

The location of the future memorial will be "adjacent to the fire department, on the south side on Route 12 A," Randall said. The pavilion will be "right by the fire station, so if you go through town you can't miss it," Burnell said.

Upon hearing the news, Olin's family was very touched at the thought.

"I was happy but very upset," Mrs. Maxham said. "I know he'd be very happy that people think that much of him to do such a thing."

"We think a lot of him and don't want to forget him; to keep his memory going I think would be good to do," Martin said. "His son and grandson are on the fire department, also, and I think it would be good for them."

As for the timing for this project, it looks like it's going to be held off until there are no more traces of snow on the ground.

"It'll have to be done this summer," Martin said. "We aren't sure of the date, yet, but we're getting closer to determining the date."

"We can probably put the full structure up in one weekend," Randall said. "Doing final trimming may take days."

"We wouldn't hire anyone to build it," Martin said. "We would do it, ourselves, like we built our fire station."

"It will be mostly wood construction with a metal roof," Martin said. "It will probably be slate on the floor or granite chips on the ground and eventually get picnic tables underneath."

Even with donations, the difference may be considerable. "The rough estimate we got for materials was a couple thousand dollars," Martin said. "That's with us doing the excavating, ourselves, and having someone set the poles. We could make some trestles, ourselves, and save a little bit of money."

"We're also going to have a someone make a granite plaque to make in memory of Olin Maxham, so we can put it on the face of the building," Martin said.

All of the money is coming from what was donated to the fire department after Olin's death, as well as any contributions the department has been able to make from fundraising.

Other thoughts are already being made as to other ways in which Olin Maxham's memory will live on in the community.

We could "try to do a fund raiser where you can make money for a scholarship to keep things going and to keep his name around; he was real important to us," Martin said.

The catalyst for the scholarship is the pride Mr. Maxim had for his two grandchildren, Marc and Amber Burnell, who are currently students at Norwich University. The fire department would like to inform anyone willing to make a donation in Olin's name that they can send it to the Roxbury Fire Department on Route 12A.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.