The community is invited to help Northwestern Counseling & Support Services recognize St. Albans resident Larry Dugan as its 2003 Citizen of the Year on Monday, May 5, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the agency, 107 Fisher Pond Road.

Larry Dugan is a longtime volunteer in the community, a real Hometown Hero, who has made time to serve as "Daffodil Days" Co-chair for the American Cancer Society since 1979! Together with his wife, Carol, he also instructed young couples preparing for marriage in Franklin County for nearly 18 years. He fondly recalls his work with these couples through Pre-Cana courses, claiming that it was a major part of his life.

Other civic pursuits that show his concern for others include volunteering for Martha's Kitchen, and having served as its President, Vice President and Treasurer over the years. He is Assistant District Governor for Rotary and Administrator/Secretary of the Loyal Order of Moose.

The busy community leader is also president and a volunteer for Northwest Access TV (Channel 15), a volunteer mediator in Small Claims Court, and an active member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Albans Historical Society. He volunteered for years at St. Albans City School and is the St. Albans contact person for the Salvation Army, represents Catholic Charities in Church World Service, and is very active in St. Mary's Church, having served in virtually every capacity there, including lector, Eucharistic minister, Bishop's Fund Drive Chair and Parish Council Chair.

The second child in a family of four children, Dugan is the parent of three grown daughters and grandpa to two young grandsons. He and Carol have been married nearly 35 years. A native of Garden City, Long Island, he came to Vermont for his college education at St. Michael's College, Colchester, where he earned a degree in Business Administration. After college, the devout Catholic spent 2-1/2 years in the seminary -- "to learn more about myself," he said.

Also a retired Master Sergeant with the U.S. Army Reserves, Dugan spent 15 years preparing young people for combat, but the self-described "mellow" man no doubt mixed in more of his counseling than the classic barking of orders at the soldiers. He initially came to St. Albans as part of the team which opened the correctional facility, where he helped train those who would be working with youthful offenders.

Before long he brought his bride Carol to St. Albans, where they set down roots. After several years at the correctional facility, the empathic young man successfully completed state testing to become a psychiatric social worker at what was then Franklin Grand Isle Mental Health (precursor to NCSS). Five years later, he left Franklin County for a while when a position became available at Howard Mental Health, Burlington, in which he could use his business training as well as his counseling expertise. He loved the job, but it consumed him.

With three young daughters growing up in St. Albans, Dugan made a "quality of life" career change that would allow him to spend more time at home with his busy family. An independent insurance agent ever since, he still enjoys counseling individuals and couples, from those just starting out, or having babies to those making retirement and end-of-life plans.

It would be difficult to find someone as passionate about the benefits of living in Franklin County as Larry Dugan. This ever-smiling bear of a man continually touts his adopted community and the good he sees in his neighbors. He mentioned a recent experience at the polls, where working there all day as a justice of the peace, he was struck not only by the number of couples who voted, but by the number who left the polling place holding hands. "I love living in a place where people care about each other," he smiled.

NCSS believes that the community may just be a little better off because of Larry Dugan and invites the public to join in its salute to him. The evening will feature an appetizer and dessert bar, acoustic music by "Cobblestone," and a "gentle roast" program for the honoree. There is no charge for the event, but guests are invited to make a donation to NCSS in Dugan's name. Seating is limited, so please call Susan Greiner, 524-6555, ext. 274, to reserve your spot.