Local couple receive Rotary recognition
PRESQUE ISLE — The Presque Isle Rotary Club recently honored Ed and Barbara Hews with Paul Harris Fellow awards, one of the most prestigious awards in Rotary.
Contributed photo
PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS — Ed and Barbara Hews were recently named Paul Harris Fellows by the Presque Isle Rotary Club. At the presentation are, from left, front row, past Presque Isle Rotary Club President Mike MacPherson; Debi Hews (wife of Mark Hews); Jane Lockhart (daughter of Ed and Barbara Hews); Paul Harris Award recipients Ed and Barbara Hews; and Presque Isle Rotary Club President Elect Gina LeBlanc-Eggert. Back row, Mark Hews (son of Ed and Barbara Hews); Jay Lockhart; and Suzanne and Ray Hews (daughter-in-law and son of Ed and Barbara Hews). Ray Hews is also a past president of the Presque Isle Rotary Club.
The couple, who have been married for 70 years, received their awards for a lifetime of service to their community and their many contributions to the club.
Specifically, Ed Hews was a seed potato grower in Presque Isle and was one of the first producers to sell potatoes for chipping in Aroostook. In the 1960s, he hosted a live television show for WAGM TV called “Today in Agriculture,” which was widely watched throughout Aroostook County. Later, he also hosted the iconic “Potato Pickers’ Special” program.
In 1969, he received a political appointment to serve in the USDA in Washington, D,C. He held several senior level positions there, including being the Chief Operation Officer for the National Federal Crop Insurance Program. He served under four presidents until his retirement in 1988. While in Washington, D.C., he was President of the Maine State Society and President of the National Conference of State Societies.
Hews joined Rotary in 1952 and was a director of the Presque Isle Rotary Club in 1958 when the Gold Brick Program started. He became an Honorary Rotarian in 1998.
Ed and Barbara have been members of the Methodist Church for over 60 years.
In addition, Barbara Hews has served as a Cub Scout leader and has been active with the United Methodist Women’s groups both in Presque Isle and McClean, Va.
