Nellie Tidswell was honored with a surprise program – she didn’t attend.
LIVERMORE FALLS – Longtime town official Nellie Tidswell was chosen this year’s Community Citizen by New Norland Grange, and a special surprise program was prepared in her honor.
However she did not attend because she had spent the day moving from her farm in Livermore to her new apartment in Auburn and was unaware the evening was planned in her honor.
Chaplain Emily Pike presented her program, despite the honored guest’s absence, telling about her years as clerk and treasurer for the town of Livermore.
A native of Livermore, the former Nellie Gordon graduated from Leavitt Institute and married Charles Tidswell in 1946. They had four children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In 1965 she began work for the town as tax collector and constable, later adding the town clerk’s duties, then those of the treasurer, cutting back her duties in 1978 to just tax collector.
The Tidswells owned and operated the Carpet Rack in Livermore Falls for several years and operated a fresh fruit stand from their farm until his death several years ago.
She was a longtime volunteer at the former Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Livermore Falls and also volunteers at the local Food Cupboard.
An avid bowler, she also enjoys traveling, is a member of and auditor for the Livermore United Methodist Church and is president of Livermore Extension.
Now that she has sold her home, she is embarking on a new career, that of landlord, having purchased two apartment buildings in Auburn.
In addition to honoring Tidswell, the chaplain conducted the annual candlelight memorial service, in recognition of the death of Sylvia Hinds Edgecomb, closing with a solo, “Amazing Grace.”
Grange Master Bob Jones was in charge of the evening and Noella Mercier was pianist. Refreshments were served following the meeting.
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