The Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce has announced MilliporeSigma as its Business of the Year, the Jaffrey Public Library as the Nonprofit of the Year and Anne Moore Griffin as Citizen of the Year.

MilliporeSigma was chosen for its dedication to the betterment of the community. A part of the community for more than 50 years, MilliporeSigma’s contributions and partnership include most recently serving as the Grand Monadnock Sponsor for Jaffrey’s 250th Jubilee, sponsoring Oktoberfest and the opening event, as well as the Vintage Golf Tournament. The company also supports the Cold Stone Springs water project.

MilliporeSigma regularly partners with Jaffrey Public Library in support of its efforts to provide science-based educational programming, and has brought its Curiosity Cube mobile science lab to town whenever possible. At the Curiosity Cube, employees volunteer their time to teach children about science through hands-on experiments.

“They’re a great community partner,” Jaffrey Public Library Director Julie Perrin said.

The library has received a grant from MilliporeSigma for the past seven years to expand science programming.

“Kids come to the library now, and they expect to be doing science, Perrin said.

The committee chose the Jaffrey Public Library because of its role in providing not just reliable information, books, new technology assistance and research support, but also community services like income tax help, job search assistance, legal research, tutoring and homework help and services for all ages. The library hosts a venue for local organizations to hold meetings, and in 2023 was added to the National Register of Historical Places.

Perrin said the library strives to take a broad view of “literacy,” stretching beyond books and providing learning in many subject areas.

“There are plenty of people who still think of libraries as quiet places with books,” Perrin said. “We’re striving to provide learning in many areas – technology, digital learning, food literacy, financial literacy. The library should be a center of the community, and a safe space for learning. We make sure to provide that space.”

The Citizen of the Year, Anne Moore Griffin, has spent the majority of her life in Jaffrey. A press release issued by the chamber described her as “a quiet doer.”

“She is never one to seek recognition for her work about the Town of Jaffrey. She is behind the scenes giving of her time, talent and energy for the better of our community. Anne is forever giving. She is always willing to help on committees, drive neighbors and friends to doctors’ appointments and giving comfort when others are in need. Anne always displays positivity, kindness, smiles and is overall a really genuinely good person,” the release reads.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.