Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center presented its 2022 Hall of Fame Award winners in ceremonies Sept. 24 at Biddeford City Hall. Courtesy Photo

BIDDEFORD — In 1849, Sarah Adams was the first female whose name was recorded in the Saco-Biddeford Mills Directory.

In 1899, Moses W. Webber bequeathed $40,000 in memory of his wife Eliza toward a free hospital for the people of Biddeford.

Bonita Pothier was Biddeford’s first female mayor, taking office in 1989.

Renée Burkett has served the community as the Special Collections librarian at McArthur Library since January 2007.

Rebecca Emery and her husband Daniel Smith were tavern owners in the mid-1700s. In her memory, the Rebecca Emery Chapter of the DAR was formed; it was chartered March 25, 1897.

Ray Gagne has been a Biddeford volunteer extraordinaire and a firefighter for 40 years, his last 10 with the department as chief.

The contributions of these six Biddeford residents were recognized Sept. 24 by the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center as 2022 Hall of Fame Award winners.

The 2022 Hall of Fame Award recipients are the fifth group recognized by the BCHC, which created the series to bring attention to people who have made significant contributions to Biddeford or to the world at large.

“BCHC is pleased to be able to recognize various icons of our great city in a public place, where citizens may be reminded of the accomplishments of the award recipients,” said Denis Litalien, BCHC board member and chair of the Hall of Fame Committee. “We encourage everyone to join us in congratulating those who have helped make our city a great place to live.”

BCHC President Diane Cyr expressed her gratitude to the Selection Committee, noting that members used their knowledge about the city’s history and its people to make well-informed decisions.

More than 60 people attended the noon ceremony at Biddeford City Hall, with Mayor Alan Casavant emceeing the event. Friends, relatives, nominators, and members of the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center attended.

After the presentation ceremony, six new banners honoring the recipients were placed on the light poles in downtown Biddeford, making a total of 30 banners, and certificates were added to the display of past recipients in City Hall.

Here is a bit more about the 2022 recipients:

Sarah Adams is the first name of 2,750 female mill employees found in the first Saco-Biddeford Mills Directory, published in 1849. Adams represents women’s labor, work that is often invisible but was critical to the success of Biddeford’s 19th-century economic growth and prosperity.

In 1899 Moses W. Webber willed $40,000 in memory of his wife Eliza toward a free hospital for the people of Biddeford “where the unfortunate may receive good care and skillful treatment.” Webber Hospital opened in a temporary location on Pool Road in 1906, and construction of a new modern, state-of-the-art hospital on Elm Street was completed in 1911.

On Dec. 5, 1989, Bonita Pothier was sworn in as the first female mayor of Biddeford. Pothier was a mother to three youngsters and owner of multiple businesses, which is enough reason to admire her accomplishments, BCHC officials said — but that is not all. Pothier also held the dual firsts of first female and first Franco president of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and she brought recycling to Biddeford City Hall. Pothier is regional representative for Southern Maine in the office of U.S. Senator Angus King.

Renée Burkett has served the community as the Special Collections Librarian at McArthur Library since January 2007. Her responsibilities include administration, management and cataloging of all aspects of the library’s Special Collections, including books, manuscripts, photographs, arts, artifacts, and maps. BCHC officials said her ability to assist library patrons, educate fellow team members and champion Biddeford’s history in countless ways is truly astounding.

Rebecca Emery and her husband Daniel Smith were tavern owners in the mid-1700s. Their tavern was rich in the business of the day and the social center of Biddeford, and the setting for such dignitaries as Sir William Pepperell and James Sullivan. She helped to produce a lineage that would go on to do countless and wonderful things in the Biddeford and Saco area, organizers of the Hall of Fame said. In her memory, the Rebecca Emery Chapter of the DAR was formed and then chartered on March 25, 1897.

Ray Gagne has tirelessly given his time to the city of Biddeford for most of his adult life. He was instrumental in the success of broomball, youth hockey, pee-wee football, and an Industrial League adult hockey team. His career as a firefighter spanned 40 years, starting on the call force, and serving as deputy chief for 18 years and chief for 10. In 1983, Gagne joined the LaKermesse organization and has remained one of the most active members, working year-round to ensure the festival runs smoothly.