Sari Bitticks at the Auburn Historical Museum [Jeff LaBonte Photo]
A nearly 30 year resident of Auburn, Bitticks grew up “all over”, but largely in Connecticut before landing in Auburn. She worked as a database designer for Digital Equipment and Easter Seals prior to her retirement in 2007.
Since then, Bitticks has pursued her deep love for local history, having guided the Auburn Historical Society for most of the past 13 years. As part of her role as president of the Historical Society, bitticks also oversees the Auburn Historical Museum at 41 South St. in Auburn.
Bitticks is also the Chair of the Auburn Historical Commission and sits on the Cemetery Commission.
Sari Bitticks at the Auburn Historical Museum [Jeff LaBonte Photo]
Bitticks is a member of the Speakers’ Bureau and is a well regarded and sought after speaker throughout the area. One only need spend a few minutes with Bitticks to understand why. She recounts Auburn history with the ease that most people recall what they had for dinner. Her wit and dry humor immediately engage her listeners and draws them back to times that Bitticks loves to recall.
While the pandemic has been a challenge for everyone, Bitticks has take the opportunity to work on the museum and its collection. She is especially excited about the upcoming Winfried Sommerfeld photo exhibit. Sommerfeld ran a photo studio in Auburn, and in the 1950s he set out to document post – war New England. The Photographic Presentation Center in Cambridge, MA acquired the Sommerfeld collection and has loaned many of the restored photos to the Auburn Historical Museum for the premiere. If all goes well, the exhibit will open in June 2021.
The John E. & Ethel E. Riley Outstanding Citizenship Award was created in 1976 to honor the Riley’s for their contribution to serving and making life for Auburn Citizens better. John Riley served as the Town Clerk from 1922 to 1952 and his wife, Ethel, served as an Assistant Clerk for many years. The money collected from Auburn residents is now held by the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. The interest earned is given to the recipient chosen each year.
The selection committee consists of the Town Clerk, Selectboard Chairperson, a Town Meeting Member chosen by the Moderator, an educator named by the School Committee, High School Senior class officers, the President of the Auburn Ecumenical Cluster, a news media person covering news in Auburn, and a citizen of Auburn named by the Selectmen, Master of the Masonic Lodge, Grand Knight of the Auburn K of C, Auburn/Webster Lodge of Elks and Commander of Chester P. Tuttle Post American Legion.
Previous winners of the Riley Award:
| 1977 | Hugo Ullman |
| 1978 | Janet Macmillan |
| 1979 | Hubert K. Barry & Mary Adamsky |
| 1980 | John J. Boudreau |
| 1981 | Alfreda Warren |
| 1982 | Not Given |
| 1983 | Lorraine Nordgren & Paul Noack |
| 1984 | Not Given |
| 1985 | Anna & Dick Fleming |
| 1986 | Not Given |
| 1987 | Albert & Ronald Prouty |
| 1988 | Frank & Joan Cassidy |
| 1989 | Edmund Lemansky |
| 1990 | Kevin & Nancy Beach |
| 1991 | Bob Lund & Bill Bylund |
| 1992 | Suzanne Billings & Lil Green |
| 1993 | Doris Hill |
| 1994 | George S. Jewell & Ellie Oleson |
| 1995 | Lorraine Scheffler & Henry Utter |
| 1996 | Matt & Adele Smith |
| 1997 | Ray Twarowski & Paul Sturgis |
| 1998 | Anne & Jack Nugent |
| 1999 | Dan Young |
| 2000 | Lynn & Tim Cummins |
| 2001 | Mary W. Robinson |
| 2002 | Phyllis D. Gallant |
| 2003 | Robert & Carole Murray |
| 2004 | Francis M. Provost |
| 2005 | George J. Fournier |
| 2006 | Elizabeth & William Gribbons |
| 2007 | Hilda Healy |
| 2008 | Patricia Bukoski |
| 2009 | Richard Ringgard |
| 2010 | Victoria & David Mclaughlin |
| 2011 | Rev. Robert F. & Leona F. Fenby |
| 2012 | Rev. John Gee |
| 2013 | Robert R. Breault |
| 2014 | Kenneth Ethier |
| 2015 | Roger Belhumeur |
| 2016 | Rev. Dennis Knight |
| 2017 | Alice Rea |
| 2018 | Roberta and Chester Stencel |
| 2019 | Roberta Briggs |